SC v. Janssen Pharmaceutica

VERDICT

Trial
03/08/11 – 03/22/11

Summary

In this pharmaceutical litigation proceeding, Plaintiff State of South Carolina alleged Jannsen, LP a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson Inc of overcharging for its antipsychotic drug Risperdal (generically known as "Risperdone"). The alleged Medicaid overcharge damages by the plaintiff are said to run into the billions.The plaintiff claimed that Janssen Pharmaceutical had promoted Risperdal for non-medically acceptable and non-medically necessary uses, and had falsely represented that Risperdal was safer and more effective than less expensive first-generation antipsychotics.

This is the third jury trial involving a state's claims that Johnson & Johnson overcharged for its antipsychotic drug Risperdal. Pennslyvania asserted a simlar claim, but the case was dismissed in June, 2010, after the state had presented its evidence to a jury. But in Louisiana a jury awarded $257M against Johnson & Johnson last October, and in 2009 a West Virginia judge awarded $4.4M in damages.

The jury found that Janssen Pharmaceutica made willful misstatements on both the Dear Doctor Letter and the label/package insert.

The plaintiff was represented by attorney Donald Coggins. The defendant in this case, Janssen Pharmaceutical was represented by attorney Steven Pugh.


For more information, visit the CVN News Blog.

Outcome

Janssen Pharmaceutica, Inc. found guilty for willful, unfair/deceptive acts and practices.
Johnson & Johnson: Not guilty

Case Information
Attorneys
Witnesses
Plaintiff
Defense
Judge
Roger Couch
Jurisdiction
7th Judicial Circuit of South Carolina
Court
Spartanburg County Courthouse
Case Number
2007CP421348
Industry
Pharmaceutical
Practice Area
Pharmaceuticals
Plaintiff
State of South Carolina
Defense
Janssen Pharmaceuticals
Expert Witnesses
Lay Witnesses

Sessions

MAR
8
MAR
9
MAR
10
MAR
11
MAR
14
MAR
15
MAR
16
MAR
17
MAR
18
MAR
21
PM Session
Verdict
2 Chapters
MAR
22

Recording Disclaimer: This proceeding was recorded in full.

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