JJ to pay USD2.2b for US settlement

(MENAFN) The US Department of Justice (DOJ) said that Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has agreed to pay over USD2.2 billion to end criminal and civil investigations for misbranding antipsychotic drugs and paying kickbacks to pharmacists, Xinhuanet reported. The settlement included criminal fines that came at a total of USD485 million and civil settlements with US federal and state authorities at USD1.72 billion. The US attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania said: "J&J's promotion of Risperdal for unapproved uses threatened the most vulnerable populations of our society -- children, the elderly and those with developmental disabilities." J&J vice president and general counsel said: "We remain committed to working with the US Food and Drug Administration and others to ensure greater clarity around the guidance for pharmaceutical industry practices and standards."