"Pfizer cutting six research plants; Biotech lab in Cambridge will remain open" by Linda A. Johnson, Associated Press | November 10, 2009
TRENTON, N.J. - Less than a month after buying Wyeth, drug giant Pfizer Inc. disclosed yesterday, will bring the closure of six of the two companies’ 20 research facilities, reorganize and consolidate others, and cut the jobs of up to 2,000 scientists and laboratory technicians.
Pfizer, which is based in New York, solidified its position as the world’s biggest drug maker with its $68 billion purchase of drug and vaccine maker Wyeth on Oct. 15, diversifying overnight by adding Wyeth’s biotech drugs and consumer and animal health divisions.
The executives heading the combined research operation said that integrating and reorganizing the companies’ laboratories will boost productivity and save money....
And PUMP-UP PROFITS!! Don't leave that out!!!!--more--"
FLASHBACK:
You need a prescription for a painkiller, readers?
"Trial over Pfizer drug ends with mystery donation to woman’s daughter" by Associated Press | July 30, 2009
TRENTON, N.J. - The first personal injury trial over a Pfizer Inc. drug linked to suicide ended abruptly yesterday when the victim’s family accepted $50,000 from an anonymous donor to drop the case....
All right, let's not prescribe this one.
The family’s lawyer, Mark Lanier, said the offer was made to the 10-year-old daughter of Susan Bulger. Bulger had been taking Pfizer’s epilepsy drug Neurontin for unapproved uses - depression and rheumatoid arthritis - when she hanged herself on Aug. 4, 2004....
The daughter, who was 5 at the time, found her 39-year-old mother hanging from an electrical cord. “It was going to be a tough case for us to win,’’ said Lanier, because Bulger “had arguably [made] up to six suicide attempts’’ previously. The case, which was being heard in Boston, was permanently dismissed yesterday by US District Judge Patty Saris. It is the first case to come to trial out of about 1,200 lawsuits alleging Neurontin led people to attempt or commit suicide, according to Lanier, a high-profile plaintiffs attorney who handled hundreds of lawsuits over Merck & Co.’s withdrawn painkiller Vioxx.
Need some more water, readers?
New York-based Pfizer said Neurontin, which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration and has been on the market since 1993, has been prescribed to millions of patients safely and effectively.
Do YOU trust the FDA these days?
Pfizer said there’s no evidence Neurontin, which is approved only for treating epilepsy seizures and nerve pain, causes suicidal behavior....
But WHY TAKE the CHANCE?!!
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WASHINGTON - Pfizer Inc.’s Pharmacia & Upjohn unit pleaded guilty to a felony violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act for misbranding the drug, Bextra, with the intent to defraud or mislead....
So YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT is IN the VIAL, do you?
Pfizer, based in New York, agreed to the plea and a $1.3 billion criminal fine, the largest in US history, on Sept. 2 to close a federal probe into allegations that the painkiller Bextra and other medicines were promoted for uses not approved by US regulators.Is that enough?
Related: Drug-Addicted Doctors
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But wait, that's not all....
"Pfizer to pay record $2.3b penalty over promotions; Marketing of 13 drugs scrutinized" by Devlin Barrett, Associated Press | September 3, 2009
WASHINGTON - Federal prosecutors hit Pfizer Inc. with a record-breaking $2.3 billion in fines yesterday and called the world’s largest drug maker a repeating corporate cheat for illegal drug promotions that plied doctors with free golf, massages, and resort junkets.
I think we will try a different company, patient/reader.
Announcing the penalty as a warning to all drug manufacturers, Justice Department officials said the overall settlement is the largest ever paid by a drug company for alleged violations of federal drug rules, and the $1.2 billion criminal fine is the largest ever in any US criminal case. The total includes $1 billion in civil penalties and a $100 million criminal forfeiture. Authorities called Pfizer a repeat offender, noting it is the company’s fourth such settlement of government charges in the last decade.
And yet, THEY GET a SEAT at the HEALTHCARE TROUGH, 'er, TABLE!!!
The allegations surround the marketing of 13 drugs, including big sellers such as Viagra, Zoloft, and Lipitor.
But, but, but, their television ads are so soothing and convincing!
As part of its illegal marketing, Pfizer invited doctors to consultant meetings at resort locations, paying their expenses and providing perks, prosecutors said. “They were entertained with golf, massages, and other activities,’’ said Mike Loucks, the US attorney in Massachusetts.
Prostitutes?
Loucks said that even as Pfizer was negotiating deals on past misconduct, they were continuing to violate the very same laws with other drugs.
Liar, criminal, thief, all rolled into one!
Pfizer’s top lawyer, Amy Schulman, said in her statement:
“[The settlements] bring final closure to significant legal matters and help to enhance our focus on what we do best - discovering, developing and delivering innovative medicines. We regret certain actions taken in the past, but are proud of the action we’ve taken to strengthen our internal controls and pioneer new procedures.’’
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In an unusual twist, the head of the Justice Department, Attorney General Eric Holder, did not participate in the record settlement, because he had represented Pfizer on these issues while in private practice.
It's NOT THAT UNUSUAL! It's called CONFLICT-of-INTEREST, and WHAT is UNUSUAL is RECUSAL!
Associate Attorney General Thomas Perrelli said the settlement illustrates ways the Justice Department “can help the American public at a time when budgets are tight and health care costs are rising.’’
Yes, we are here from the government and we are here to help.
Then why all the lying?
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Yeah, you are right; you don't want one of them.
