Pfizer Management Blamed (NYSE:PFE)

A subsidiary of Pfizer, Pharmacia and Upjohn has been sentenced after pleading guilty to illegally promoting Bextra pain killers. The company had promoted Bextra as a treatment for acute and surgical pain though it was not been approved by the health regulators for those purposes. The Department of Justice has fined Pharmacia and Upjohn a whopping US$ 1.195 billion for the illegal promotion of Bextra drug, which is probably the largest criminal fine ever imposed against any defendant in any criminal proceeding. The Department of Justice not only made allegations that Pfizer had promoted the Bextra drug off-label, but also mentioned that Pfizer sponsored and operate for cash promotion where sales representatives were being rewarded to design Bextra protocols for post-surgery pains even though it was not been officially approved by the health regulators.

However, Pfizer has clearly denied all federal and state allegations and said that they agree that they had certain improper actions carried out during the past promotions of Bextra, but nothing in the present situation. DOJ blamed Pharmacia and Upjohn that they had received a net gain of around one billion dollars through the off-label sales of Bextra pain killer drugs and Pfizer management was involved as they had signed an agreement with Pharmacia and Upjohn.