Paying The Price

One giant pharmaceutical company just got busted for putting profits ahead of peoples' lives. In the largest healthcare fraud settlement in U.S. history, British drug maker GlaxSmithKline was slapped with $3 billion in fines after pleading guilty to a number of criminal and civil violations related to 10 drugs the company produces that are taken by millions of Americans. The company illegally promoted the use of anti-depressants like Paxil and Wellbutrin for unapproved uses. It also failed to report safety problems with its drug Avandia after it was discovered it could substantially increase the risk of heart attacks. On top of that, the company defrauded taxpayers by over-charging Medicaid programs for drugs – and routinely gave kickbacks to doctors who prescribed their medicines. Glaxo's CEO apologized for the crimes and claimed his company learn from its mistakes. But how long until the American people learn that profiteers and hucksters have no place in our nation's healthcare system?