On Feb. 12, 2025, MS AG jointed settlement with 37 other States and Puerto Rico in order to settle the kickback allegations against Biohaven and Medicare false claims.
State of Mississippi will receive $162,204.59 in restitution and other recoveries.
On Jan. 24, DoJ settled with Pfizer re improper physician payments.
DoJ reported Pfizer Inc., on behalf of subsidiary Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Co. (Biohaven), agreed to pay $59,746,277 to resolve false claim submissions to Medicare.
Allegations
Paid kickbacks to health care providers to induce prescriptions of the drug Nurtec ODT.
Biohaven paid improper remuneration, including for speaker honoraria and meals at high end restaurants, to health care professionals to induce them to prescribe Nurtec.
Prescribers who attended multiple programs on the same topic received no educational benefit from attending repeat programs and attended by family members, friends.
Conduct persisted until Pfizer acquired Biohaven, terminated Nurtec speaker programs.
Settlement resolved claims brought under the qui tam/whistleblower provisions of the False claims act (31 USC 3729 - 3733) by Patrica Frattasio, former Biohaven sales rep.
Enforcement
Approximately $50.2mn of settlement constitutes the federal portion of the recovery and approximately $9.5mn constitutes a recovery for State Medicaid programs.
Frattasio will receive approximately $8.4mn as her share of case's federal recovery.
Jan. 28, 2025 NEB LEG Joining Settlement
On Jan. 28, 2025, NEB LEG reported NEB joined the US, 37 other States, Puerto Rico in settling kickback allegations against Biohaven to resolve false claims to Medicare.
Jan. 31, 2025 COL AG Joining Settlement
On Jan. 31, 2025, COL AG reported COL joined the US, 38 other States, and territories in settling kickback allegations against Biohaven to resolve false claims to Medicare.
Pfizer to pay $59mn, including a payment of $156,253 to Colorado in restitution.
Feb. 3, 2025 MCH AG, CAL AG Joining Settlement
On Feb. 3, 2025, MCH AG, CAL AG reported States joined US, States and Puerto Rico in settling kickback allegations against Biohaven, to resolve false claims to Medicare.
As part of settlement, MCH will receive $155,930.53 in restitution, other recoveries.
California will receive $413,776 for its share of losses to California’s Medicaid program.
Feb. 4, 2025 CT AG Joining Settlement
On Feb. 4, 2025, CT AG reported CT joined the US, other States, and Puerto Rico in settling kickback allegations against Biohaven to resolve false claims to Medicare.
As part of the settlement, CT will receive $64,233 in restitution and other recoveries.
Feb. 5, 2025 FLA AG Joining Settlement
On Feb. 5, 2025, FLA AG reported FLA joined the US, other States, and Puerto Rico in settling kickback allegations against Biohaven to resolve false claims to Medicare.
As part of action, Pfizer agreed to pay $2,300,449 to the Florida Medicaid program.
Feb. 2025 MS AG Medicare Settlement
On Feb. 12, 2025, MS AG jointed settlement with 37 other States and Puerto Rico in order to settle the kickback allegations against Biohaven and Medicare false claims.
State of Mississippi will receive $162,204.59 in restitution and other recoveries.
Regulators
CAL AG; COL AG; CT AG; DoJ; FLA AG; MCH AG; MS AG; NEB LEG
