Massachusetts Sues J&J Over Risperdal Marketing Practices

Massachusetts’ attorney general is suing Johnson & Johnson’s Ortho-Mcneil-Janssen unit for the alleged inappropriate marketing strategies of the antipsychotic drug Risperdal. According to a statement, J&J failed to disclose an increased risk of death associated with the drug. The case is Massachusetts v. Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., 11-2811, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Suffolk Superior Court (Boston).

Risperdal is approved for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar mood disorder. But the company has marketed the drug for the treatment of dementia in the elderly as well as a way to treat various other non-approved ailments. The complaint also alleges that J&J failed to disclose other serious risks, including serious weight gain and diabetes.

“Manufacturers should not promote uses of their pharmaceutical products that have not been established to be safe and effective,” Attorney General Coakley said. “Janssen put profits ahead of patient safety by promoting Risperdal for uses that had not been approved and by failing to disclose serious risks associated with Risperdal’s use.”

The illegal marketing and sales tactics used to promote Risperdal helped the company generate hundreds of millions of dollars in sales in the Commonwealth, according to the complaint.

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