Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has taken legal action against pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Tris Pharma, accusing them of defrauding the state of Texas. The lawsuit, unsealed on Monday, alleges that Pfizer and Tris manipulated quality-test results for children’s ADHD medicine Quillivant XR in order to obtain Medicaid reimbursement. The drug had previously failed to meet quality standards.
According to Paxton, the companies knowingly distributed Quillivant to children despite being aware of its manufacturing issues and its ineffectiveness. He claims that thousands of Texas children received an adulterated and ineffective Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance.
The lawsuit was initiated following a whistleblower complaint by Tarik Ahmed, who had worked as Tris’ head of technology from 2013 to 2017. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration had previously warned Tris of manufacturing lapses in 2017.
Texas is seeking monetary payments equal to the benefits received by Pfizer and Tris due to the alleged violations, as well as additional civil penalties. The state hopes to hold these pharmaceutical companies accountable for their actions.
Paxton stated, “For years, Tris altered the drug’s testing method in violation of federal and state laws to ensure Quillivant passed regulatory hurdles and could continue to be sold. Despite knowing about these serious problems, Pfizer misrepresented to the Medicaid program that Quillivant was in compliance with federal and state law.”
The lawsuit serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and adherence to quality standards in the pharmaceutical industry. The alleged actions of Pfizer and Tris have put the health and well-being of Texas children at risk.
This lawsuit also highlights the ongoing concerns regarding the influence of big pharmaceutical companies and the need for stricter regulations to prevent fraud and protect consumers. The Texas Attorney General’s office has taken a significant step in holding these companies accountable for their alleged misconduct.
As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen how this case will impact the pharmaceutical industry and its relationship with government programs such as Medicaid. The outcome of this lawsuit will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for both the companies involved and the healthcare system as a whole.
