WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal authorities say a Cincinnati-based
company that provides prescription drugs for long-term care facilities
agreed to pay the government more than $4 million to settle a
whistle-blower lawsuit in South Carolina alleging the company engaged in
illegal kickbacks.
The Justice Department said Thursday that the
civil settlement resolves allegations that Omnicare solicited and
received kickbacks from the California-based drug manufacturer Amgen
Inc. in return for implementing programs designed to switch Medicaid
beneficiaries from a competitor drug to Amgen’s Aranesp product.
The
government says the alleged kickbacks included performance-based
rebates, grants, consulting services and dinners. The government says
the settlement involves claims and no liability was determined.
Omnicare didn’t immediately return a call for comment Thursday.
The company provides pharmaceuticals and services to long-term care facilities.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights
reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal authorities say a Cincinnati-based
company that provides prescription drugs for long-term care facilities
agreed to pay the government more than $4 million to settle a
whistle-blower lawsuit in South Carolina alleging the company engaged in
illegal kickbacks.
The Justice Department said Thursday that the
civil settlement resolves allegations that Omnicare solicited and
received kickbacks from the California-based drug manufacturer Amgen
Inc. in return for implementing programs designed to switch Medicaid
beneficiaries from a competitor drug to Amgen’s Aranesp product.
The
government says the alleged kickbacks included performance-based
rebates, grants, consulting services and dinners. The government says
the settlement involves claims and no liability was determined.
Omnicare didn’t immediately return a call for comment Thursday.
The company provides pharmaceuticals and services to long-term care facilities.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights
reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.