Federal investigators have requested information from Merck about its marketing practices for heart and anti-infective drugs, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
The U.S. Justice Department issued a subpoena to Whitehouse Station, N.J.-based Merck requesting information about marketing and selling activities for the heart drug Integrilin and antibiotic Avelox from Jan. 2003-June 2010.
The Justice Department also issued a civil investigative demand to Inspire Pharmaceuticals, a company Merck acquired in May for $420 million. Investigators are looking into allegations that Inspire caused the submission of false claims to federal healthcare programs for the drug AzaSite by marketing it for uses not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
In a separate development, Merck also agreed to pay $49.5 million to settle class-action suits related to the painkiller Vioxx. The drug was linked to increased risk for heart attacks and strokes, and Merck withdrew the drug from the market in 2004.
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The U.S. Justice Department issued a subpoena to Whitehouse Station, N.J.-based Merck requesting information about marketing and selling activities for the heart drug Integrilin and antibiotic Avelox from Jan. 2003-June 2010.
The Justice Department also issued a civil investigative demand to Inspire Pharmaceuticals, a company Merck acquired in May for $420 million. Investigators are looking into allegations that Inspire caused the submission of false claims to federal healthcare programs for the drug AzaSite by marketing it for uses not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
In a separate development, Merck also agreed to pay $49.5 million to settle class-action suits related to the painkiller Vioxx. The drug was linked to increased risk for heart attacks and strokes, and Merck withdrew the drug from the market in 2004.
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