Pharma Penalties Total $10.2B Over Two Years

Pharmaceutical manufacturers have reached a total of 74 settlements, totaling $10.2 billion in financial penalties with federal and state governments between November 2, 2010 and July 18, 2012. That's the conclusion of an updated report from Public Citizen. The group says the first half of 2012 alone already is a record year for both federal ($5.0 billion) and state ($1.6 billion) financial recoveries. Settlements related to allegations of numerous violations, including illegal, off-label marketing and the deliberate overcharging of taxpayer-funded health programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid.