JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (CN) - Allergan will pay $600 million to settle claims that it pushed Botox for off-label uses. Allergan will pay states and the federal government $225 million to compensate Medicare and Medicaid, plus $350 million in criminal fines and $25 million in forfeiture, Attorney General Chris Koster said.
The company pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
The settlement resolves claims that Allergan promoted Botox for unapproved uses such as headache, pain, overactive bladder and spasticity.
Allergan ran a nationwide campaign to push the drug for off-label uses. It included reimbursements to physicians and other support.
Doctors may prescribe drugs for off-label uses, but drug companies cannot push their drugs for that. Missouri will get $1.6 million from the settlement, Koster said.
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