Pfizer agreed to pay $14.5 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by marketing Detrol, a medication approved to treat overactive bladders, for off-label uses.  In an effort to increase sales, Pfizer allegedly pushed the use of the drug to treat enlarged prostates, paid kickbacks to doctors who prescribed Detrol for impermissible off-label uses, paid employees who cooperated, and punished those who did not.  Pfizer also allegedly paid for articles to be written in reputable medical journals supporting the off-label use of Detrol, in spite of the lack of evidence to support such claims.

One of the two whistleblowers said he brought the issues with Detrol marketing to the attention of the company’s then-general counsel, Jeff Kindler, and Kindler, who later became CEO, failed to address the situation in violation of an existing Corporate Integrity Agreement.  The whistleblowers then initiated the instant case.  For their efforts in bringing the case to the government’s attention, the whistleblowers will receive 27% of the settlement.