Press Release

Alaska Joins $100 Million Settlement Relating to Illegal Marketing of Prescription Drug

May 7, 2012

(ANCHORAGE, AK) - Attorney General Michael C. Geraghty today joined 44 other states and the District of Columbia in announcing a $100 million settlement with Abbott Laboratories over allegations of illegal marketing of the drug Depakote. The agreement marks the largest consumer protection-based pharmaceutical settlement ever reached.

The states alleged that Abbott engaged in unfair or deceptive conduct in promoting Depakote for certain illnesses or disorders. Depakote is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating seizure disorders, bipolar disorder, and migraines. It can be marketed for those approved uses. But according to the states, Abbott illegally marketed the drug for unapproved or "off-label" uses, including the treatment of schizophrenia, dementia, and autism.

Under the agreement filed today in court, Abbott will change how it markets Depakote and will cease promoting off-label uses. The company also will pay $100 million nationally. Alaska will receive $1,087,809 of the settlement funds.

For more information about the settlement, please contact Assistant Attorney General Cynthia Drinkwater at (907) 269-5200.

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Department Media Contacts: Communications Director Patty Sullivan at patty.sullivan@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6368. Information Officer Sam Curtis at sam.curtis@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6269.