STAT+: Gilead to pay $45 million to settle kickback charges filed by Texas attorney general

Ed’s stories explore prescription drug pricing, affordability and access, as well issues surrounding patents, litigation, and legislation. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter.Gilead Sciences agreed to pay $45 million to settle allegations of paying kickbacks that improperly influenced prescriptions paid for by the Texas Medicaid program, the latest pharmaceutical company to reach a deal with the state over marketing practices. The state pursued its claims alongside a whistleblower who also filed a lawsuit claiming Gilead paid another company to hire registered nurses to recommend its drugs. The lawsuit also accused Gilead of offering free support services to doctors to prescribe its drugs, which resulted in false claims being filed with government programs. Nearly a decade ago, Health Choice Advocates and some related firms filed whistleblower lawsuits against several drugmakers, accusing them of hiring third-party contractors to deploy nurses — sometimes by phone, sometimes at patient homes — to ensure that prescriptions were refilled. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe