Alex Gorsky, Johnson and Johnson’s chief executive officer, ran the unit responsible for making Risperdal and is said to have “Intimate knowledge of the company’s illegal marketing efforts targeting doctors who treat troubled youths.”

Risperdal is an antipsychotic medication which allegedly causes male children and youths to grow breast tissue.

Mr. Gorsky ,who in February, was named  to take over as Johnson & Johnson’s CEO, has “touted his work with Risperdal on his resume, noting that he expanded the Drug’s U.S. sales by $300 million.”

Risperdal, a medication manufactured by Johnson & Johnson and Janssen has been the target of government investigations.  J&J’s global sales of Risperdal peaked at $4.5 billion in 2007.  It generated $3.4 billion in sales in 2008 after J&J lost the patent protection on the drug, and 2010 sales were a low of $527 million.

Risperdal’s sales climb was directly linked to the illegal marketing of the drug for “off-label” (Non-FDA approved) use. By law, medicine can be prescribed by a doctor for any condition, as long as the medication has been licensed by the FDA and proven safe and effective against at least one ailment.

It is illegal for a drug company to promote a drug for uses other than those approved by the FDA.

“Janssen promoted Risperdal for “off-label” use by offering free trips to hotels and vacation locations, free meals, free samples of Risperdal and other perks.”

If you believe that you or a loved one has suffered injury or death due to a defective or dangerous pharmaceutical, you may have a right to compensation for your injuries.  The Maher Law Firm and Frank Eidson Attorney At Law, would like to help.