Johnson & Johnson to pay $2.2bn to settle charges of false marketing on three drugs

Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is to pay more than $2.2bn (£1.4bn; €1.6bn) to resolve allegations in the United States of unlawful promotion of three drugs including kickback payments to physicians and pharmacists.

The settlement is one of the largest in US history and follows an extensive investigation by federal and state law enforcers. It includes $485m in criminal fines and $1.72bn in civil settlements with the federal government and states.

Whistleblowers who reported the fraud are set to receive $167.7m between them for their part in uncovering the fraud.

The allegations concern the antipsychotics Risperdal (risperidone) and Invega (paliperidone) and the heart failure drug Natrecor (nesiritide).

In addition to the fines, J&J has signed a five year corporate integrity agreement to change how it does business. Among other actions, the agreement allows J&J to recoup annual bonuses and other incentives from executives who have …