Delaware to receive more than $550K in settlement with GSK

As part of a 38-state settlement, pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) will pay $551,426 to the state of Delaware.

In a complaint filed last week, Attorneys General from 38 states assert GSK and SB Pharmco Puerto Rico (SB Pharmco) made deceptive claims about how four drugs were produced at their facility in Cidra, Puerto Rico.

“It was more centered on quality control and making sure that what they were producing was a product that was consistent with the chemical makeup of the drugs,” said Ian McConnel, Director of the Delaware Department of Justice’s Fraud Division.

The drugs in question: Kytril, a sterile drug used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy and radiation cancer treatments; Bactroban, a topical antibiotic ointment used to treat skin infections; Paxil CR, a controlled-release form of the antidepressant medication Paxil; and Avandamet, a combination Type II diabetes drug. Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden blames substandard manufacturing processes for the drugs’ compromised makeup.

“Pharmaceutical manufacturers have a responsibility to produce drugs that are safe and generated according to strict guidelines,” said Attorney General Biden.

Biden announced Tuesday, the $550-thousand award will be deposited into the state’s Consumer Protection Fund and added this settlement resolves the allegations of substandard manufacturing practices against GSK.

“We hold drug companies to a high standard because that’s what consumers and their families deserve,” said Biden.

The Cidra facility shut down in 2009 and the Department of Justice says consumers need not worry since the drugs in question were recalled many years ago and/or have passed their expiration dates.