NASHVILLE - Tennessee will see about $4.5 million as part of what state Attorney General Bob Cooper says is the largest-ever multistate consumer protection agreement with a pharmaceutical company over alleged deceptive marketing.
Cooper announced today that he and 35 other state attorneys general reached a "record" $181 million settlement with Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson.
Attorneys general had alleged that Janssen improperly marketed the "second generation" of four anti-psychotic drugs - Risperdal, Risperdal Consta, Risperdal M-Tab and Invega.
States, for example, said Janssen engaged in unfair and deceptive practices when it marketed Risperdal for unapproved or off-label uses to both geriatric and pediatric populations, targeting patients with Alzheimer's, dementia, depression and anxiety.
The attorneys general contended the uses were not approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration as safe and effective.
Last month, Cooper announced the state will receive about $2 million as part of a national agreement with McKesson Corp. for allegedly causing the government to overpay for prescription drugs. That was the state's share of a $151 million national agreement.