Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Omnicare To Settle Kickback Allegations Case For $28M
The Associated Press: Omnicare To Shell Out Another $28M On Kickback Litigation
Omnicare will pay more than $28 million to resolve allegations that the drug distributor accepted kickbacks for pushing an anti-seizure medication on doctors treating nursing home patients. (Murphy, 10/17)
Chicago Tribune: Pharmacy Company To Pay $28 Million Over Abbott Kickback Allegations
The nation's largest nursing home pharmacy has agreed to pay $28.1 million to settle allegations that it took kickbacks from Abbott Laboratories to promote one of Abbott's drugs, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. As a nursing home pharmacy, Omnicare has pharmacists that consult with nursing homes, reviewing patients' medical charts and making recommendations about what medications they should get. The federal government alleged that Abbott gave kickbacks to Omnicare in the form of so-called grants and educational funding in exchange for Omnicare recommending Abbott's Depakote, an anti-epileptic drug. (Schencker, 10/17)
