Pfizer to pay $35 million to settle hormone claims

Pfizer Inc. agreed to pay $34.7 million in fines to settle Justice Department allegations that it improperly promoted the human growth hormone product Genotropin.

The drug maker’s Pharmacia & Upjohn Co. subsidiary pleaded guilty to offering a kickback to a pharmacy benefit manager to sell more of the drug and agreed to pay a $19.7-million fine. As part of the agreement, the Pharmacia unit will be barred from federal healthcare programs.

New York-based Pfizer will also pay $15 million for promotion of Genotropin for uses not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.