GlaxoSmithKline Agrees to $3 Billion Settlement Over Paxil, Wellbutrin

USA TODAY – July 2, 2012

GlaxoSmithKline agreed to a $3 billion settlement this week in a case involving several counts of healthcare fraud, according to a Justice Department statement.

Under the agreement, the drug manufacturer will plead guilty and pay $1 billion to resolve criminal complaints and $2 billion to resolve civil complaints involving three popular drugs.

The Justice Department said in a statement released on Monday that GlaxoSmithKline misbranded two of its antidepressants – Paxil and Wellbutrin – and failed to fully inform customers about safety issues with the diabetes drug Avandia.

The complaints against GlaxoSmithKline also included allegations of pricing fraud.

The guilty plea and settlement will not be final until it is officially accepted by the U.S. District Court.