InterMune Inc., maker of a treatment for rare bone and immune system disorders, will pay $36.9 million to settle U.S. claims it illegally marketed the drug for unapproved uses and caused false claims for reimbursement from government health programs.
The San Francisco U.S. Attorney's office said InterMune sold the drug, called Actimmune, mostly for prescriptions to treat pulmonary fibrosis, a fatal lung disorder with no cure that affects 83,000 Americans. InterMune distributed misleading information to doctors and patients claiming the drug could prolong survival knowing the company's studies failed to show significant benefits, prosecutors said in a statement.
"This settlement sends a clear message to the pharmaceutical industry that the Justice Department will not tolerate these deceptive and illegal marketing practices,'' said Assistant U.S. Attorney General Peter Keisler in a statement.
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