Pharmaceutical powerhouse, Johnson & Johnson, has recently been the subject of several legal problems regarding the marketing practices for some of their most popular medications. The latest development involves the company’s Scios unit agreeing to pay an $85 million fine and plead guilty to misbranding the heart drug, Natrecor.
In July, prosecutors charged Scios with misbranding Natrecor on claims that the drug’s label lacked adequate instructions for proper use. In addition to shelling out the big bucks to cover the fine, Scios will also be placed on a three year organizational probation.
The Justice Department officially charged Scios with a “single misdemeanor violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.” The plea agreement reached between Scios and prosecutors over the matter does not completely release J&J from liability, as the company faces separate charges in civil court.
