LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The Arkansas Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments in Johnson & Johnson’s request to overturn a verdict and $1.2 billion fine over the marketing of the antipsychotics drug Risperdal.
Oral arguments are set for Feb. 27 in Little Rock for the appeal from Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Attorney General Dustin McDaniel successfully sued the companies, claiming they downplayed and hid risks associated with taking Risperdal.
In 2012, a Pulaski County judge fined the two companies $5,000 for each of 240,000 Risperdal prescriptions the state Medicaid program paid for during a 3½-year period.
In a separate case, Johnson & Johnson agreed to a $2.2 billion settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice in November over allegations that it promoted three drugs, including Risperdal, for off-label uses.
