Drug Maker Accused Of Illegal Marketing Tactics In Promotion Of Drug Risperdal

In 1993, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of the antipsychotic drug Risperdal to treat schizophrenia in adults. Later uses of the drug were approved in 2006 and 2007. Unfortunately, serious adverse side effects have since been linked to the use of this medication. Among these side effects are breast development in boys, lactation in girls, movement disorders, diabetes, and even death. As a result, many former users of the drug are now pursuing lawsuits against the drug’s maker, Janssen Pharmaceuticals and its parent company, Johnson & Johnson.

6 Allegations Relating to Illegal Marketing of Risperdal

As part of the lawsuits and complaints filed against Johnson & Johnson, the following allegations have been made with regard to the company’s reported illegal marketing of the drug:

1. The company did not wait to obtain U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval before promoting the use of the drug for children.
2. The company trained salespeople to promote Risperdal use in children to physicians as early as 2003.
3. The company lacked approval for any type of use of the drug in children at the time that it trained its employees in this manner.
4. The company paid doctors to speak favorably of the drug and to prescribe it to children and adolescents. These payments came in the form of sponsored golf outings and other incentives.
5. The company concealed dangerous side effects of the drug during its marketing campaign, including diabetes, substantial weight gain, stroke, and gynecomastia.
6. The company has settled claims of misconduct with regard to their marketing of the drug with several states for amounts totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.

If you were injured after taking Risperdal, you have legal rights that we can help you protect. You may be entitled to various types of compensation for these injuries. We encourage you to reach out today for a free consultation.