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    • State AGs Make Bayer’s Yaz DTC Advertising Subject to FDA Prior Approval; $20M in Corrective Advertising Also RequiredFebruary 12th, 2009

      By J.P. Ellison – Twenty-Seven Attorneys General have given FDA prior approval authority over Bayer’s Direct-to-Consumer (“DTC”) television and print advertising for its prescription oral contraceptive Yaz, and also required to company to run a $20 million corrective advertising campaign as part of a settlement agreements with …

    • Latest FDLI Update Magazine Features Two Articles Written by HPM AttorneysJanuary 30th, 2009

      The latest issue of the Food and Drug Law Institute’s “Update” magazine features articles written by four Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C. attorneys.  The first article, titled “Imported Products – FDA Is Not Fooling Around,”  was written by Dara Katcher Levy and John R. Fleder.  It …

    • Eli Lilly and Co. Agrees to Pay The Largest Ever Criminal Fine and It is For an FDC Act MisdemeanorJanuary 15th, 2009

      By James P. Ellison – The Department of Justice announced a $1.415 billion settlement with Eli Lily and Company (“Lilly”) to resolve allegations of off-label promotion of the antipsychotic drug Zyprexa (olanzapine).  The criminal component of this global settlement is a $515 million fine and …

    • Are the Stars Lining Up for FDA Civil Penalties?November 17th, 2008

      By James P. Ellison – FDA’s November 12, 2008 Federal Register Notice of its Direct Final Rule to comply with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2461 note, is not in itself a blogworthy event, but it could be part of …

    • RICO and Off-Label Use Don’t MixNovember 7th, 2008

      By Bryon F. Powell – On November 4, 2008, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida granted Defendants AstraZeneca’s and Parexel’s Motions to Dismiss in Ironworkers Local Union No. 68 v. AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP.  In this case, the Plaintiffs, various union …

    • DDMAC Targets ADHD Products – FDA Issues Five Warning Letters on the Same DaySeptember 29th, 2008

      We previously reported (April 25, 2007, May 22, 2007, August 14, 2007) on a trend in policing promotional and advertising claims by FDA’s Division of Drug Marketing, Advertising, and Communications (“DDMAC”), in which DDMAC has focused on ensuring that all claims are supported by substantial …

    • FDLI Update Article Discusses State and Federal Enforcement Actions Against Cosmetics CompaniesSeptember 21st, 2008

      The latest FDLI Update “Enforcement Corner” article by Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C. discusses the fact that government entities, including FDA, are taking enforcement actions against companies that market cosmetics and cosmetic-like products.  The article highlights recent enforcement actions in this area, and also notes …

    • Second Circuit Upholds Dismissal of Case Against Former KPMG EmployeesSeptember 10th, 2008

      In United States v. Stein, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit recently upheld a lower court’s decision to dismiss charges against former employees of KPMG on the basis that the prosecutors interfered with the employees’ constitutional right to counsel.  Ex-employees of …

    • “Male Enhancement” Dietary Supplement Distributor Gets Sentencing Enhancement — 25 Years for FraudAugust 28th, 2008

      According to the Associated Press, a federal court has sentenced Steven Warshak, founder of Berkeley Premium Nutraceuticals, to 25 years in prison for crimes including mail fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud, and money laundering.  In addition, Warshak and other defendants must forfeit money and assets …

    • Notable Recent Third Circuit Decision in Appeal from FDC Act ConvictionAugust 20th, 2008

      On August 8, 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit issued an opinion in an appeal from a conviction under, among other provisions, the criminal provisions of the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (“FDC Act”).  A jury convicted Eric Goldberg of …

    • Ignoring the NAD Can Be CostlyAugust 14th, 2008

      A recent Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) action serves as a reminder that the agency takes seriously cases referred to it by the National Advertising Division of the Council of the Better Business Bureaus (“NAD”).  In a press release issued earlier this week, the FTC announced …

    • FDLI Update Article Discusses Potential Consequences of Submitting False Information to the GovernmentAugust 10th, 2008

      The latest FDLI Update article by Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C.’ s Gwendolyn M. McKee and John R. Fleder discusses the potential consequences to company executives and companies of submitting false information to a government agency, even when the submission is not made under oath.  …

    • FDA/DOJ Ranbaxy Investigation Bleeds Over to Capitol HillJuly 21st, 2008

      As widely reported earlier this month, FDA and the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) intensified their investigation of Indian drug company Ranbaxy, Inc.  On July 3, 2008, the government moved to enforce administrative subpoenas directed at Ranbaxy and the company’s consultant, PAREXEL Consulting concerning information about …

    • FDA, Bankruptcy, Criminal Prosecution, Forfeitures and GMPs-An Unusual CombinationJune 11th, 2008

      In a case involving a highly unusual set of facts for FDA-regulated companies, Leiner Health Products, Inc. (Leiner) is seeking to have a plea agreement approved by a Bankruptcy court.  The case involves violations of Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) for over-the-counter drugs.  What also …

    • Latest FDLI Update Magazine Features Two Articles Written by HPM AttorneysMay 20th, 2008

      The latest issue of the Food and Drug Law Institute’s “Update” magazine features articles written by three Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C. attorneys.  The first article, titled “FDA Moves Against Marketed Unapproved Human Drugs,” was written by Susan J. Matthees and John R. Fleder and …