March 7, 2013 Media Contact: Jenn Meale Phone: (850) 245-0150

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Attorney General Pam Bondi announced today that Florida has recovered nearly $50,000 through a settlement with Par Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The settlement resolves allegations that Par promoted sales of the drug Megace ES, a drug approved to treat significant weight loss problems caused by AIDS, to elderly patients who weren’t diagnosed with AIDS. The alleged off-label purpose is not approved as safe and effective by the Food and Drug Administration and not covered by Florida’s Medicaid program.

“We will not allow pharmaceutical companies to market drugs for purposes not approved by the FDA, and we will ensure that our Medicaid program does not cover the costs of this illegal activity,” stated Attorney General Pam Bondi.

The settlement is the result of a joint investigation by the Florida Attorney General’s Office, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the U.S. Department of Justice, Arizona, New York, and Ohio.

The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is tasked with investigating and litigating cases involving false claims for payments that are submitted to the Florida Medicaid Program.