AstraZeneca to Pay $354.9-Million Fine
From Associated Press
Drug maker AstraZeneca said it would plead guilty and pay $354.9 million to settle charges it provided free samples of a cancer drug to physicians with the understanding that the doctors would bill Medicare for reimbursements.
The Anglo-Swedish company admitted to criminal conspiracy to violate the Prescription Drug Marketing Act by setting up a scheme involving sales of prostate cancer drug Zoladex from 1993 to 1996. AstraZeneca said in January that it had taken a charge of $350 million in anticipation of the settlement with the Justice Department.
AstraZeneca shares fell 95 cents to $43.21 on the New York Stock Exchange.
From Associated Press
