State wins $2.7M settlement against pharmaceutical giant

The state has won part of a $180 million settlement with a pharmaceutical subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson for improperly marketing antipsychotic drugs, the Office of Consumer Protection announced today.

Hawaii, which will get $2.7 million, joined with 35 other states and the District of Columbia in the record agreement with Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc. in the largest multi-state consumer protection settlement with a pharmaceutical company.

The state alleged in a lawsuit filed today by the Office of Consumer Protection that Janssen improperly marketed Risperdal, Risperdal Consta, Risperdal M-Tab and Invega for off-label uses to geriatric and pediatric groups, targeting patients with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, depression, and anxiety — uses not approved by the  by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and not known to be safe and effective. 

"This settlement protects consumers and stops unscrupulous marketing practices," Bruce Kim, executive director of the Office of Consumer Protection, said in a statement. 

Following a four-year investigation, Janssen has agreed to change how it markets its antipsychotics and refrain from any false, misleading or deceptive promotion of the drugs. 

The settlement restricts Janssen from promoting its antipsychotic drugs for "off-label" uses not approved by the FDA and imposes other requirements over a five-year period.