The Justice Department also contends that the company violated the federal anti-kickback statute by making illegal payments to physicians. They were allegedly recruited by AstraZeneca to present themselves as authors of articles the company had written about the drug.

The civil settlement was the latest step in an Obama administration crackdown on health-care fraud. “We will not let such actions stand,” Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. said at a news conference. “This administration is committed to recovering taxpayer money lost to health-care fraud.”

Glenn Engelmann, the company’s U.S. general counsel, said AstraZeneca denies the allegations but “takes its obligations very seriously under its agreements with the government. . . . It is in the best interest of AstraZeneca to resolve these matters and to move forward with our business of discovering and developing important, life-changing medicines.”

Source: WP

Seroquel is used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar mania.

Increased occurrences of diabetes, hyperglycemia, and weight gain have been associated with the use of Seroquel. A recent study by the National Institute of Mental Health showed that 12% of Seroquel patients experienced weight gain. Only 3% of recipients of the older drugs experienced similar results.

As reported by the [FDA,Food and Drug Administration] in April of 2004:

FDA and AstraZeneca notified healthcare professionals of revision to the WARNINGS section of labeling, describing the increased risk of hyperglycemia and diabetes in patients taking Seroquel. FDA has asked all manufacturers of atypical antipsychotic medications, including AstraZeneca, to add this Warning statement to labeling.

If you are suffering from any of the following conditions after taking this drug, you may need to seek help/advice.

• Diabetes
• Ketoacidosis
• Severe weight gain
• Diabetic coma
• Heart attack
• Hyperglycemia
• Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
• Pancreatitis
• Stroke
• Tardive Dyskinesia
• Seizures
• Gynecomastia