[A just-announced Justice Department] indictment accuses [a] Glaxo official, Lauren C. Stevens of Durham, N.C., of lying to the Food and Drug Administration in 2003, by writing letters, as associate general counsel, denying that doctors speaking at company events had promoted Wellbutrin for uses not approved by the agency. Ms. Stevens “made false statements and withheld documents she recognized as incriminating,” including slides the F.D.A. had sought during its investigation, the indictment stated.
This could get ugly. The Justice Department has decided to go after people, not just companies.
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UPDATE: Along these same lines, the latest issue of Academe, edited by the wonderful Sheldon Krimsky, is all about conflict of interest and corporate influence in the university. Looks like a must-read.
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ANOTHER UPDATE: Much more detail about the Justice Department’s action from the indispensable Health Care Renewal.
November 10th, 2010 at 2:54PM
It has to get ugly before the culture changes.
However, the spectacle of government prosecutors, commonly viewed as pit bulls with rabies, shredding someone’s life for lying to the government or for discussing off-label uses of medicines may end up getting more support for the pharmaceutical side.
November 10th, 2010 at 3:23PM
Going to have to get a lot uglier than that, Brad, before drumming up support for the pharmaceutical side.
November 10th, 2010 at 11:09PM
Certain people are of the opinion that Ms. Stevens will cop a plea and turn government witness in order to snare even larger fish.
November 11th, 2010 at 10:17PM
That’s a sham move Tony, the person gets out of the doghouse and the evidence provided is often not enough to get anyone else. Same result, slightly different PR, better for Justice, but essentially no impact on industry.
July 3rd, 2011 at 3:04PM
[…] (10 November) – Also see comments by Prof Margaret Soltan on the University Diaries blog. Tags: accountability, crime, GlaxoSmithKline, impunity, legal […]
July 10th, 2011 at 3:09PM
[…] ADDENDUM (10 November) – Also see comments by Prof Margaret Soltan on the University Diaries blog. […]
August 25th, 2011 at 2:14PM
[…] ADDENDUM (10 November) – Also see comments by Prof Margaret Soltan on the University Diaries blog. […]