STAT+: Gilead to pay $45 million to settle kickback charges filed by Texas attorney general — SkimNews
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- Gilead Sciences agreed to pay $45 million to settle allegations it paid kickbacks that influenced prescriptions under the Texas Medicaid program, according to the state attorney general.
- Texas attorney general pursued the case alongside a whistleblower who filed a lawsuit claiming Gilead paid another company to hire nurses who recommended its drugs to patients.
- Gilead was accused of offering free support services to doctors to encourage prescribing its medications, leading to false claims submitted to government programs.
- Health Choice Advocates and related firms filed whistleblower lawsuits nearly a decade ago against multiple drugmakers, alleging the use of third-party nurses to drive prescription refills.
Why it matters: The $45 million settlement imposes a direct financial cost on Gilead for alleged influence over prescribing practices, while the whistleblower’s role highlights ongoing enforcement risks for drugmakers using third-party intermediaries in Medicaid markets. This outcome may prompt tighter compliance scrutiny across similar support programs.
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