GlaxoSmithKline fined US$3 billion for 'largest healthcare fraud in US history'

Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has agreed to pay £1.9 billion (US$3 billion) to US courts for three counts of fraud relating to the marketing of medicines, bringing to an end what the company described as "difficult, long-standing matters for GSK".

GSK was fined for targeting antidepressant drug Paxil to under-18s, despite it being approved only for adults. It also admitted to marketing antidepressant Wellbutrin for uses it was not approved for, including sexual dysfunction and weight loss.

"Whilst these [issues] originate in a different era for the company, they cannot and will not be ignored" GSK CEO Sir Andrew Witty	More GSK Stories 'Manufacturers in a bind' warns layer as GSK biotech takeover bid is rejected ITV deal makes Panadol primetime Saturday night viewing Salford pharmacies to conduct COPD trial on 4,000 patients
	In both cases, GSK was accused of going to extreme lengths to promote the drugs, prosecutors said. "In the US, we have taken action at all levels in the company. We have fundamentally changed our procedures for compliance, marketing and selling." GlaxoSmithKline chief executive Sir Andrew Witty said. "When necessary, we have removed employees who have engaged in misconduct."

GSK was also found to have violated US law by failing to give safety data about diabetes drug Avandia to authorities, the court heard.

Sir Andrew said: "Today brings to resolution difficult, long-standing matters for GSK. Whilst these originate in a different era for the company, they cannot and will not be ignored. On behalf of GSK, I want to express our regret and reiterate that we have learned from the mistakes that were made."

In 2009, Pfizer was fined £1.45 billion (US$2.3 bn) for improperly marketing 13 drugs, making GSK's £1.9 billion (US$3 bn) fine the largest case in US history.