An investigation into Abbott's marketing of Depakote began four years ago, when the company was accused of marketing the drug to doctors for the treatment of schizophrenia and dementia. Depakote is approved by the FDA to treat epilepsy, migraines and manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder. It is not illegal for doctors to prescribe medications off-label, but it is illegal for drug companies to market the drugs for off-label use.According to an article at Reuters (5/9/12), Abbott reportedly trained salespeople to market Depakote as a way to calm elderly patients with dementia. Furthermore, Abbott reportedly gave doctors illegal kickbacks for prescribing the medication.
As part of the settlement, Abbott will plead guilty to violating a federal drug law. Patients who were affected by the illegal marketing of Depakote are not part of this settlement. The $1.6 billion settlement is reportedly the second largest settlement involving illegal drug marketing. In 2009, Pfizer paid $2.3 million to settle allegations about the marketing of Bextra.
READ MORE DEPAKOTE BIRTH DEFECT LEGAL NEWS
A whistleblower—one of four whose complaints about Abbott started the investigation—further alleged Abbott's sales force was told to market Depakote as a way for nursing homes to make up for inadequate staffing. The whistleblowers will now split $84 million of the settlement.
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised that Depakote is linked to a variety of birth defects, including spina bifida, hypospadias and oral clefts. According to Courthouse News Service (4/19/12), Keona Clay filed a lawsuit alleging her son was born with a penile birth defect because she took Depakote while pregnant. The lawsuit alleges that Depakote was defectively designed and inadequately tested. Finally, it alleges that the drug's warnings were not adequate.
READER COMMENTS
sherri
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Sherry Musil
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rebecca Kimmel
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jessice Munns
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Angelica
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Kathy Bunn
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James Chung
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Please refer to the following link:
https://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/articles/depakote/depakote-lawsuit-side-effects-5-17704.html
This medication was recommended by a neurologist at CHOC (Children's Hospital Orange County), which is their favored medication to give to most of their seizure disorder patients, but this medication is not recommended by many well-known neurologist due to it's serious side effects of birth defects, damage to liver and causing serious and deadly damage to pancreas. Long story short, my daughter (8 years old) was forced by the doctor at CHOC after they enlisted SSA or CPS, Social Service worker, with a warrant, for six days. But this medication was tapered off and deemed as ineffective for my daughter when we transferred my daughter to UCLA. She suffered lose of hair and darkened urine for few days with increased seizures in frequency and duration of the seizures.
Always get a second opinion from different doctor if your doctor prescribe this medication to you or your child.
sean ulicki
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Jeffery w townsley
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DANIEL C
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Therefore, I DECIDE to lawsuit this kind of medication
Shonna Beachman
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Courtney kourim
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Dwayne Headrick
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Jacob parra
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Kevin j cassify
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Zak krejci
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Mike Daniels
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This did not help my headaches. My headaches have worsened to the point that I am now on disability and take daily pain meds. I have developed thyroid problems, depression, severe ringing in my ears and other issues since taking Depakote
I would be interested in talking with a lawyer that may see a case here
jeff HAGGARD
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Melissa Miller
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Mary Elizabeth Friend
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H.M.
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Chelsea Smith
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Troy L Pollock
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Daniel Haszard
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I took Depakote for 6 years was ineffective for my condition PTSD,the doctor kept telling me to take it.
The saga of the schizophrenia drugs is one of incredible profit.Eli Lilly made $65 BILLION on Zyprexa franchise. Described as *the most successful drug in the history of neuroscience*.There is a whole underclass block of our society,including children in foster care that are the market for these drugs,but have little voice of protest if harmed by them.
--Daniel Haszard
*tell the truth don't be afraid*
monike bettis
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