Wisconsin gets funds in drug firm settlements

Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said Monday that the state will receive nearly $700,000 from Elan Corp. and Eisai Inc. for allegedly marketing the anti-epileptic drug Zonegran for unapproved purposes.

Wisconsin joined the federal government and other states to reach an agreement in principle with Elan, a publicly traded company based in Ireland, to resolve claims that the company and its North American subsidiary, Elan Pharmaceuticals Inc. improperly marketed Zonegran. The company allegedly promoted Zonegran for the treatment of neuropathic pain, obesity, headaches and a variety of psychiatric conditions.

Elan also pleaded guilty to a federal misdemeanor charge under the United States Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and will pay a criminal fine of $102 million to the federal government for misbranding Zonegran through improper promotional activities.

In a related action, the states and federal government recovered $11 million from Eisai Inc., for allegedly continuing to promote Zonegran for unapproved uses after it acquired the interests in Zonegran in 2004.

Wisconsin will receive $586,054 under the settlement with Elan and $106,343 under the settlement with Eisai, which is based in New Jersey. The money will go to Wisconsin Medicaid, along with a total of $1.5 million paid to the federal government that will be attributed to the state Medicaid program.

Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said Monday that the state will receive nearly $700,000 from Elan Corp. and Eisai Inc. for allegedly marketing the anti-epileptic drug Zonegran for unapproved purposes.

Wisconsin joined the federal government and other states to reach an agreement in principle with Elan, a publicly traded company based in Ireland, to resolve claims that the company and its North American subsidiary, Elan Pharmaceuticals Inc. improperly marketed Zonegran. The company allegedly promoted Zonegran for the treatment of neuropathic pain, obesity, headaches and a variety of psychiatric conditions.

Elan also pleaded guilty to a federal misdemeanor charge under the United States Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and will pay a criminal fine of $102 million to the federal government for misbranding Zonegran through improper promotional activities.

In a related action, the states and federal government recovered $11 million from Eisai Inc., for allegedly continuing to promote Zonegran for unapproved uses after it acquired the interests in Zonegran in 2004.

Wisconsin will receive $586,054 under the settlement with Elan and $106,343 under the settlement with Eisai, which is based in New Jersey. The money will go to Wisconsin Medicaid, along with a total of $1.5 million paid to the federal government that will be attributed to the state Medicaid program.

Read more: Wisconsin gets funds in drug firm settlements | The Business Journal