5.19.2010
When is a Kickback a Kickback? Navigating the Perilous Road of Marketing Incentives in the Pharmaceutical Industry
In January 2010, the federal government filed a civil action under the False Claims Act accusing drug manufacturer Johnson & Johnson (“J&J”) of orchestrating a massive unlawful pharmaceutical monetary kickback scheme. This action by the U.S. Department of Justice serves as a reminder to all in the healthcare industry, be they pharmaceutical companies, pharmacies, medical providers or healthcare facilities, to review and examine their financial arrangements with others in order to ensure they do not contain unlawful remuneration agreements, and to be vigilant in their efforts to avoid market conduct that may be viewed by others — especially the government — as involving an unlawful kickback.
This article first appeared in Contract Pharma.