Consumer Groups Sue Pfizer Over Epilepsy Drug

California consumer groups filed a suit Tuesday accusing Pfizer Inc. and its Parke-Davis unit of circumventing federal rules to promote scientifically unproven “off-label” uses of the drug Neurontin.

In a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, the coalition alleged that Parke-Davis launched an illegal promotional campaign in 1995 to attract patients to Neurontin, which had been approved by the Food and Drug Administration only for the treatment of epilepsy.

Neurontin’s marketing already is the subject of a grand-jury investigation begun by the U.S. attorney’s office in Boston. In addition, 47 states and the District of Columbia have launched criminal or civil investigations.

The latest lawsuit, filed on behalf of the California Public Interest Research Group, the Congress of California Seniors and USAction, alleges that the campaign included illegal cash kickbacks to physicians and other methods to increase sales of the drug for non-approved uses.

Parke-Davis sought to promote Neurontin for treatment of at least 13 conditions, the suit claims, including migraines, bipolar disorder and restless leg syndrome.

The suit is asking the court to prohibit Pfizer from promoting Neurontin for off-label uses and to disgorge profit the company received through the allegedly illegal practices.

A Pfizer spokeswoman declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing company policy.

Pfizer, headquartered in New York, acquired the rights to Neurontin when it bought Warner-Lambert Co. and its Parke-Davis unit in 2000. The drug has become one of Pfizer’s most successful, with expected 2002 sales of $2 billion.

Shares of Pfizer fell 59 cents Tuesday, closing at $29.84 on the New York Stock Exchange.