MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said Tuesday that Wisconsin will get more than $4 million in a multistate settlement with drug manufacturer AstraZeneca.
The drug maker allegedly marketed the anti-psychotic drug Seroquel for uses not approved by federal regulators, including treating insomnia and other psychiatric conditions.
The federal government and the states reached a $520 million settlement with AstraZeneca in April. The company will pay $9.9 million attributable to Wisconsin Medicaid. About $4.4 million of will go to the state. The rest will go to the federal government.
AstraZeneca spokesman Tony Jewell pointed to a statement company attorney Glenn Engelmann issued in April. Engelmann said the company denies the allegations but it was important to resolve them.
Van Hollen also announced the state will receive more than $264,000 as part of a $72.5 million multistate settlement with Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp and Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics, Inc. In addition, $395,000 will be attributable to Wisconsin Medicaid.
Van Hollen said the agreement resolves allegations the company promoted tobramycin, a cystic fibrosis drug, for uses not approved by federal regulators.
A spokeswoman for Novartis did not immediately return a phone message Tuesday.
