U.S. seeks up to $3.35 billion in Novartis kickback lawsuit

The United States says Novartis AG (NOVN.VX) should pay as much as $3.35 billion in damages and civil fines because the Swiss drugmaker used kickbacks to boost sales of two drugs covered by Medicare and Medicaid. In papers filed Monday night in Manhattan federal court, the government said it deserves that sum under the federal False Claims Act over alleged improper reimbursements for Exjade, used by patients who receive blood transfusions, and Myfortic, for patients with kidney transplants. The government is seeking up to $1.52 billion in damages, representing triple the sums allegedly reimbursed and tainted by kickbacks between 2004 and 2013.

U.S. seeks up to $3.35 billion in Novartis kickback lawsuit source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/u-seeks-3-35-billion-151343920.html