ISTA Pharmaceuticals pleads guilty in connection with Xibrom drug

[Luc]

U.S. Department of Justice says ista pharmaceuticals pleads guilty to federal felony charges, to pay $33.5 million to resolve criminal liability and false claims act allegations * Justice Department says settlement relates to ista's marketing, distribution and sale of drug xibrom * Justice Department says ista pleaded guilty in a New York federal court to conspiring to illegally introduce a misbranded drug into interstate Commerce * Justice Department says ista pleaded guilty to offering kickbacks to induce doctors to prescribe xibrom * Justice Department says whistleblower to receive about $2.5 million of the settlement amount

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...N0094T20130524

[Joy]

This ruling will hopefully have repercussions on other cases. What do you think?
I am unable to load video on my slow internet connection :O(

[Sheila]

Xibrom (bromfenac) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by blocking the production of prostaglandin, a substance that causes inflammation (redness, swelling, irritation).

Xibrom is an eye drop used to treat eye pain and swelling in patients who have recently had surgery to remove cataracts.

http://www.drugs.com/xibrom.html

[Sheila]

Yes, Joy, it will help slowly. But, these companies also budget for this kind of thing. They make a ton of money before someone blows the whistle, and then pay some of it back in penalty. But, still, it does slowly change things!

[Luc]

This ruling will hopefully have repercussions on other cases. What do you think?

It surely is a step forward. And such rulings will be happening more and more often. I wish they would add one more zero to the 33 millions, but it's still very good.

[Luc]

On a personal note, one of those NSAIDs caused me stomach perforation way back in my early 20s. I had it prescribed for a "herniated disc" (total mis-diagnosis). It was a close shave (ER, critical state, life-saving surgery, etc.)