Settlement Produces Money But No Apologies in Florida

Boehringer Ingelheim Corp., generic-drug manufacturer, is paying $8.5 million to settle fraud claims, yet the company still admits to no wrong-doing.

The claims are that the company inflated the price of generic drugs but charged the pharmacies less. In turn the pharmacies had a larger profit margin from Medicaid reimbursements. The larger gap between reported cost and actual cost brought more business from pharmacies.

It is calculated and blatantly wrong. Still the company just settles and thinks it has saved face. It seems to be a reoccurring theme between these big pharmaceutical companies. They settle so they can still claim "no wrongdoing."

I know it saves everybody money to settle, but I'd like to see more action taken against these people. Maybe 2010 will be the year that sees these unethical acts punished beyond a slap on the wrist and a ticket!

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Drug Rep Blowing a Whistle

Sarah Thomas is a pharmaceutical sales rep. She is also a football official.

Not exactly the whistleblowing we are interested in , but I could not pass up the "humor?"

If you are interested in full artcile.

Whistleblower, John Kopchinski, Recognized as 2009's Most Influential Person In Business Ethics

John Kopchinski lost his job for "not being a team player" when he exposed Pfizer's illegal marketing and sales of Bextra. The painkiller was being marketed at potentially lethal dosages and uses.
Former sales member turned hero, Kopchinski played a vital role in the record $2.3 million settlement. Ethisphere named him the "Most Influential Person In Business Ethics in 2009."

A very well deserved title!