JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (CN) - Elan Corp. will pay $101 million to states and the federal government to settle claims of off-label marketing of its anti-epileptic drug Zonegran. Elan also must pay a $102 million criminal fine.
The $101 million settlement will reimburse Medicaid and Medicare. Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster said Missouri will receive $1.7 million.
Elan encouraged pediatric neurologists to prescribe Zonegran, though it was not approved for patients younger than 16. It also pushed the drug to treat neuropathic pain, obesity, headaches and a variety of psychiatric conditions that were not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Elan will also pay a $102 million criminal fine and has pleaded guilty to a federal misdemeanor of misbranding Zonegran through improper promotions.
In a related settlement, Eisai Inc. agreed in principle to pay $11 million for its improper promotion of Zonegran after it acquired interests in the drug from Elan in April 2004.
Doctors can prescribe drugs for off-label uses, but drug companies are not allowed to push the drugs for that.
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