Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Sues Pfizer Over Testing Of Drugs Given To Children
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Sues Pfizer and Tris Pharma for Alleged Medicaid Fraud
In a shocking revelation, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on Monday that Texas had filed a lawsuit against Pfizer and Tris Pharma. The lawsuit accuses the pharmaceutical companies of defrauding the Texas Medicaid program by providing an ADHD medication to children.
According to Paxton, Pfizer and Tris manipulated testing data on the ADHD drug Quillivant, despite being aware of its issues. This deceptive act allowed them to bypass Texas drug regulations, violating the Texas Health Care Program Fraud Prevention Act.
Uncovering the Truth
Expressing his horror at the dishonesty uncovered during the investigation, Paxton stated, “Pfizer and Tris intentionally concealed and failed to disclose the issues with Quillivant to receive taxpayer-funded benefits through Texas Medicaid, defrauding the state and endangering children.”
According to a press release from Paxton’s office, Pfizer distributed Quillivant to children on Medicaid despite the drug’s consistent failure in quality control tests due to flawed manufacturing practices.
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Deceptive Practices
Paxton’s office revealed that Tris had been altering the drug’s testing method for years, violating federal and state laws to ensure Quillivant met regulatory requirements. Meanwhile, Pfizer misrepresented the drug’s compliance with the law to Medicaid decision-makers, concealing the fact that Quillivant was an adulterated drug.
Paxton’s lawsuit exposes the hidden poor manufacturing processes employed by Pfizer and Tris from 2012 to 2018. During this time, patients reported that the medication was ineffective.
Endangering Texas Children
The legal filing from Paxton states, “At no point did Defendants warn Texas Medicaid providers or decision-makers that Quillivant had known manufacturing issues affecting its efficacy, thereby depriving the Medicaid program of crucial information.” Thousands of Texas children unknowingly received an adulterated Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance.
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One of the plaintiffs, Tarik Ahmed, who used to work as the head of technology for Tris, has come forward in this case. Ahmed discovered the alleged “substandard manufacturing practices” during his tenure with the company from 2013 to 2017.
Pfizer has previously stated that it was subpoenaed in 2022 by the Southern District of New York regarding the production of Quillivant and its partnership with Tris. However, the company has not received any further updates since the initial communication.
What did the internal emails from Tris employees reveal about the drug testing procedure?
Making it appear as if the drug met the necessary standards. However, internal emails from Tris employees exposed the deception, as they discussed the need to manipulate the testing procedure to pass inspections.
The lawsuit alleges that this fraudulent activity resulted in Texas Medicaid covering over 1 million prescriptions of Quillivant, resulting in over $270 million in reimbursements to Pfizer and Tris. Furthermore, the lawsuit claims that Texas taxpayers incurred an additional cost of over $70 million due to the Medicaid fraud.
A Call for Justice
Ken Paxton is vehement in his pursuit of justice. He emphasized, “We are seeking restitution for the taxpayer dollars spent on these drugs, penalties for their false claims, and assurance that these companies will never defraud the taxpayers again.”
Paxton is calling for Pfizer and Tris to be held accountable for their actions, reflecting the importance of upholding the integrity of the Medicaid program and ensuring the safety of patients, especially vulnerable children.
Implications for Pharmaceutical Companies
The lawsuit brought forward by the Texas Attorney General’s office against Pfizer and Tris sends a powerful message to pharmaceutical companies. It highlights the consequences of manipulating data and defrauding government programs, shedding light on the importance of transparency and ethical practices within the industry.
This case serves as a reminder that the health and well-being of patients should always be the top priority. The alleged Medicaid fraud by Pfizer and Tris not only jeopardized the safety of children but also wasted significant taxpayer dollars.
As this investigation unfolds, it is expected that Pfizer and Tris will face severe penalties if found guilty. This lawsuit serves as a warning to pharmaceutical companies that fraudulent practices will not be tolerated, and those found guilty will face legal consequences.
Ultimately, this case displays the commitment of the Texas Attorney General’s office to safeguard the interests of its citizens and hold accountable those who take advantage of vulnerable populations for personal gain.
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