drug switching - Whistleblower Law Blog http://whistleblower.labovick.com/articles/state-and-local-false-claims-a/ en-us Copyright 2010 Mon, 09 Jun 2008 07:39:39 -0500 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:43:15 -0500 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Walgreen's Pharmacy settles $35 Million Qui tam case The Illinois based Walgreen's Pharmacy has agreed to settle a qui tam case for $35 Million that involves drug switching of the following drugs: Ranitidine (or Zantac), which inhibits stomach acid production; Fluoxetine (or Prozac), an antidepressant; and Eldepryl, known generically as selegiline, which is used with other medications to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Reports showed that  Walgreens fraudulently increased reimbursement from Medicaid by switching the form of the drug dispensed to Medicaid patients while providing no additional medical benefit to patients.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the case was initially filed in 2003, by Whistleblower and licensed pharmacist Bernard Listiza. The Whistleblower should receive approximately $5 million of the total $35 Million qui tam settlement and the federal government will receive approximately $18.6 million of the settlement. The remaining $16.4 million will be shared by over 40 states and Puerto Rico, due to separate settlement agreements.

A breakdown of the shares of the Walgreen's settlement by state includes: Florida receives $9.8 million, Illinois, $1.25 million, Georgia $401,000, Indiana $289,000, Ohio $161,000, New Jersey $1.25 million and Pennsylvania $9,000.

Click here to read more on this Whistleblower Medicaid fraud case from the Chicago Tribune.

 

]]> http://whistleblower.labovick.com/2008/06/articles/state-and-local-false-claims-a/walgreens-pharmacy-settles-35-million-qui-tam-case/ http://whistleblower.labovick.com/2008/06/articles/state-and-local-false-claims-a/walgreens-pharmacy-settles-35-million-qui-tam-case/ Bernard ListizaHealth Care FraudMedicaid FraudProzacState and Local False Claims ActsWalgreens pharmacyZantacdrug switching Mon, 09 Jun 2008 07:39:39 -0500 LaBovick Law