GlaxoSmithKline is prepared to settle with the US Government for $3 billion in an effort to close out charges of fraud and misleading the public in advertising the antidepressants Paxil and Wellbutrin, and the diabetas drug, Avanda. They had advertised these antidepressants as safe for children when they did not have Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approval. Numerous other charges will be cleared and closed in this settlement. Rewards to the whistleblowers in this case are yet to be determined.
A $3 billion settlement is the largest ever agreed to by industry for one specific case. Pharmiceudical companies are especially vulnerable to charges such as this. These companies pay the doctor for consulting services to evaluate the drugs effects, and he must prescribe the medicine to observe. To the outsider looking in It appears the physician is being paid to prescribe the drug and this is not legal under the current laws. The FDA is continuing to refine their evaluation procedures on new drugs and trying to control all aspects of information that a pharma company, doctor or related medical care professional disclose.