LILLY MAY PAY $1 BILLION FINE FOR MISLEADING DRUG PROMOTION

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

NY TIMES -  Eli Lilly and federal prosecutors are discussing a
settlement of a civil and criminal investigation into the company's
marketing of the antipsychotic drug Zyprexa that could result in Lilly's
paying more than $1 billion to federal and state governments. If a deal
is reached, the fine would be the largest ever paid by a drug company
for breaking the federal laws that govern how drug makers can promote
their medicines.

Several people involved in the investigation confirmed the settlement
discussions, which began last year and took on new urgency this month.
The people insisted on anonymity because they have not been authorized
to talk about the negotiations.

Zyprexa has serious side effects and is approved only to treat people
with schizophrenia and severe bipolar disorder. But documents from Eli
Lilly show that from 2000 to 2003 the company encouraged doctors to
prescribe Zyprexa to people with age-related dementia, as well as people
with mild bipolar disorder who had previously had a diagnosis of
depression.

Although doctors can prescribe drugs for any use once they are on the
market, it is illegal for drug makers to promote their medicines for any
uses not formally approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/31/business/31drug.html?_
r=1&ex=1359522000&en=82a17ce059bba80b&ei=5090&partner=
rssuserland&emc=rss&oref=slogin


||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||