Abilify Settlements – Compulsive Gambling Claims

Abilify is an anti-psychotic medication used in the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Tourette’s syndrome, autism and depression.

Use of the drug has been linked to compulsive gambling, shopping, eating and sex. This addictive behavior has been found to start almost immediately upon taking Abilify, and stop once the patient is switched to another medicine.

Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed against Otsuka Pharmaceutical and Bristol-Myers Squibb (the manufacturers of Abilify) by individuals who have suffered injuries.

Abilify Settlement Amounts

As of this time, there have been no group settlements for individuals injured by taking Abilify. Generally, however, settlements in prescription drug cases do not occur until such time as a few of the filed claims are tried before a jury, and the manufacturer is able to more thoroughly understand its financial risk. The first trial involving Abilify and the link to compulsive behaviors is scheduled to take place in 2018.

In 2005, Bristol-Myers Squibb paid a $515 million penalty to the U.S. government to settle allegations that the company aggressively marketed Abilify to geriatric patients as well as children and adolescents for unapproved “off-label” purposes.

In 2008, Otsuka Pharmaceutical paid the U.S. government $4 million to settle claims that the company marketed Abilify to child psychiatrists and nursing homes for unapproved “off-label” purposes.

In 2016, Bristol-Myers Squibb paid $19.5 million to various state governments to settle allegations that the company minimized the risks of Abilify, misrepresented data from clinical studies, and illegally promoted the drug for “off-label” purposes. The company also paid $30 million to the state of California for illegally paying doctors to prescribe its medication, including Abilify.

Bristol-Myers to pay $19.5 million in Abilify off-label marketing settlement

Almost a decade after settling up Abilify marketing allegations with the U.S. Justice Department, Bristol-Myers Squibb agreed to pay $19.5 million to settle similar claims at the state level. Announced by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, the deal covers claims that Bristol-Myers pushed Abilify as a treatment for kids and for elderly patients with dementia, when neither use was approved by the FDA. Reported in Fierce Pharma – Abilify Off-Label Settlement

Bristol-Myers pays $30 million to settle kickback charges

After nearly a decade of litigation, Bristol-Myers Squibb on Monday agreed to pay $30 million to settle charges by California officials of paying kickbacks to induce doctors to prescribe several of its medicines. Among the many medicines for which doctors were persuaded to write more prescriptions were the Pravachol cholesterol pill; the Plavix blood thinner; the Abilify antipsychotic; the Glucophage diabetes treatment; and the BuSpar antianxiety drug. Reported in STAT – Abilify Kickback Scheme

Bristol-Myers Squibb to Pay More Than $515 Million to Resolve Allegations of Illegal Drug Marketing and Pricing

The Government alleged that, from 2002 through the end of 2005, BMS knowingly promoted the sale and use of Abilify, an atypical antipsychotic drug, for pediatric use and to treat dementia-related psychosis, both “off-label” uses. The Food and Drug Administration has approved Abilify to treat adult schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder, but has not approved the use of Abilify for children and adolescents or for geriatric patients suffering from dementia-related psychosis. Indeed, the FDA has mandated that the package for Abilify carry a “black box” warning concerning its use in the treatment of dementia-related psychosis. Reported in Department of Justice – Illegal Drug Marketing

Abilify Off-Label Marketing Case Settled For $4M

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has agreed to pay $4 million to settle off-label marketing allegations brought by the U.S. Department of Justice. The DOJ said Thursday that Otsuka American Pharmaceutical Inc. had agreed to the settlement, putting to rest claims that the company marketed its anti-psychotic drug Abilify for off-label uses by targeting child psychiatrists and nursing homes. Reported in LAW 360 – Abilify Illegal Marketing

The federal lawsuits involving Abilify and the link to addictive behaviors have been combined in a multi-district litigation (MDL) before a judge in Pensacola, Florida, where all of the national discovery and evidence gathering is taking place. No trials have yet occurred, and the litigation is still in the discovery process.

We are one of only a few law firms that have been appointed by the federal judge to the Plaintiffs Executive Committee to help lead up the investigation against the manufacturers of Abilify and determine whether they are required to compensate individuals injured by the drug.

In the court filings, lawyers argue the following:

1. Abilify is defective and unreasonably dangerous.
2. Otsuka Pharmaceutical and Bristol-Myers Squibb were negligent in the manufacturing of the drug.
3. The companies failed to properly test the medication, and failed to warn of the increased risks of compulsive behaviors, such as gambling, shopping, binge eating and sex.
4. The manufacturers concealed evidence of the dangers from the government and the public, and misrepresented the safety of the drug in its marketing material.

For extensive information on these lawsuits, visit our Abilify Lawsuit Site. This site describes in detail the litigation pending against Otsuka Pharmaceutical and Bristol-Myers Squibb, and how someone injured by Abilify can participate in the court proceedings and receive compensation for their injuries.