Pfizer Given Massive Fine for Illegal Promos

2009-09-03 04:06:04 (GMT) (WiredPRNews.com - Business, News)

Pfizer was given a record breaking penalty for illegal drug promotions.

The pharmaceutical giant was fined a record $2.3 billion for drug promotions.

Press Release Service – Wired PR News – Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. was given a massive fine for illegal drug promotions on Wednesday. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), federal prosecutors penalized the drug maker $2.3 billion for allegedly violating drug rules with illegal marketing activities that included giving perks to doctors for attending consultant meetings. U.S. Attorney Mike Loucks is quoted by the AP as stating of what the company provided to physicians, “They were entertained with golf, massages, and other activities.”

The record breaking fine reportedly serves as a warning to drug makers regarding these kinds of violations. Bill Vaughan with Consumers Union is quoted in the report as stating, “There’s so much money in selling pills, that there’s a tremendous temptation to cheat… There’s a kind of mentality in this sector that (settlements) are the cost of doing business and we can cheat. This penalty is so huge I think consumers can have some hope that maybe these guys will tighten up and run a better ship.”

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