Colorado today received $2 million as part of a settlement with the British drug company AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals in connection with allegations that the firm promoted the use of the drug Seroquel for uses not approved by the government.
The Colorado Attorney General’s Office said in a news release that Seroquel, an “atypical antipsychotic” medication, was promoted not only to psychiatrists, but also to primary-care physicians and other health care professionals for unapproved uses, including treatment of aggression, Alzheimer’s disease, anger management and attention deficit hyperactivity.
Colorado Attorney General John Suthers said in the release it is generally not illegal for doctors to prescribe drugs for off-label uses, but it is illegal for drug manufacturers to market drugs for uses not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
State Medicaid programs generally do not pay for drugs prescribed for off-label purposes.
Colorado’s $2 million is part of the $520 million total settlement.
In addition to the money, AstraZeneca will enter into a agreement with the federal government, under which the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will closely monitor the company’s future marketing and sales practices.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com.
