Delaware secures $137,000 in drug company settlement

Delaware will get a piece of a national $56.5 million settlement with Shire Pharmaceuticals.

The Pennsylvania-based drug company is accused of falsely advertising drugs for certain uses that had not received approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

Delaware’s Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance will receive $137,000 from the settlement. The funds will be used “as reimbursement for previous Medicaid expenses that were incurred as a result of the drugs being used for off-label purposes,” according to Attorney General Beau Biden’s office.

“The misuse of prescription medication is a major public safety issue,” said Biden in a statement. “Pharmaceutical companies have a responsibility to market their drugs only for uses that have been approved by the FDA, and will be accountable when they attempt to sell their drugs for unapproved uses.”

The advertising campaigns included Adderal XR, Vyvanse and Daytrona, which are used to control Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Lialda and Pentasa, which are used to treat some cases of active ulcerative colitis.

The Office of the Inspector General, under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will monitor the company’s future marketing and sales practices.