BOSTON (AP) — A U.S. subsidiary of Irish drugmaker
Elan Corp. PLC has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor violation of the federal Food
Drug and Cosmetic Act over the improper marketing of the epilepsy drug
Zonegran.
Monday’s plea finalized a deal announced in July under which
Elan agreed to pay $203.5 million to resolve all federal and state Medicaid
claims into the marketing of Zonegran.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts
says Elan Pharmaceuticals Inc. was sentenced to a criminal fine of $97 million
and forfeit of $3.6 million in substituted assets.
The firm also agreed to pay $102 million to resolve civil
allegations under the False Claims Act.
A spokesman referred to a Dec. 15 statement that said Elan
is committed to the highest ethical and legal standards.
Elan sold Zonegran to Japanese drugmaker Eisai Co. in 2004
for $223.5 million.
