HEALTH
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
Shiley to Pay $20 Million: Heart valve maker Shiley Inc. and its parent, Pfizer Inc., have agreed to pay the federal government $10.75 million to settle allegations that it made false claims about potentially fatal artificial valves. The amount is what the government estimates it paid for the valves through its health insurance programs, Medicare and the Veterans Health Administration, multiplied by 2 1/2. The civil suit against Shiley and Pfizer was brought under the False Claims Act and common law, which allows the government to recoup damages and penalties.
