Attorney General Bill McCollum News Release
April 29, 2010
Media Contact: Jenn Meale
Phone: (850) 245-0150
en EspañolPrint Icon Print Version

Florida Recovers Over $8.25 Million from National AstraZeneca Medicaid Settlement

~ State’s General Revenue Fund to receive $4 million ~


TALLAHASSEE, FL – Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that the Florida Medicaid Program will receive more than $4.25 million as part of a global settlement totaling $520 million with AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP. The settlement resolves allegations that the company illegally marketed the antipsychotic drug Seroquel for uses which have not been tested or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

“This is a significant recovery for our Medicaid program and the state of Florida,” said Attorney General McCollum. This creative interpretation of marketing rules will not be tolerated here.”

Seroquel is one of a newer generation of antipsychotic medications used to treat certain psychological disorders. From January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2006, AstraZeneca promoted the sale and use of Seroquel for certain treatments that the Food and Drug Administration had not approved. The settlement resolves a government investigation into promotional activities that were directed not only toward psychiatrists but also toward primary care physicians and other health care professionals for unapproved uses in the treatment of medical conditions such as aggression, Alzheimer’s, anger management, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dementia and sleeplessness.

In addition to the $4.25 million to the Florida state Medicaid program, $3.8 million will be deposited into Florida’s General Revenue fund and $425,000 will be deposited into a fund for rewarding Medicaid fraud whistleblowers. Additional funding will reimburse the federal government for its contributions to the Medicaid program.

In addition to the monetary recovery, AstraZeneca will enter into a corporate integrity agreement with the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ Inspector General. The agreement will include provisions that will ensure that AstraZeneca will market, sell and promote its products in accordance with all Federal health care program requirements.

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