$6.6 Million Recovered In Whistleblower Case

The U.S. Government and the state of California recovered $6.6 million under settlements reached the week with a pharmaceutical company that allegedly used kickbacks to compel doctors to prescribe its dermatological products.

The settlements stem from a whistleblower case filed by Ross Feller Casey on behalf of a former sales representative who alleged widespread fraud at Almirall, LLC, formerly known as Aqua Pharmaceuticals, of Pennsylvania.

The settlements resolve allegations that the company paid kickbacks over a six-year period ending in 2017 to dermatology providers in order to induce prescriptions of its drugs, including Monodox, Cordran and ACTICLATE. The kickbacks ranged from meals, entertainment, trips, gifts and excessive payments to doctor for speaking engagements and consulting services.

Attorney Brian J. McCormick, Jr., who has a large and successful whistleblower practice at Ross Feller Casey, worked closely with government investigators and lawyers to resolve the cases.

“Decisions about pharmaceutical products should be based on the best interests of the patient, not on whether the manufacturer pays a kickback,” said McCormick. “These sorts of improper financial incentives undermine the integrity of medical decisions, waste taxpayer funds and are unfair to competitors who play by the rules.”

Under the settlements, the U.S. government will receive $3.5 million, and the California Department of Insurance will get $3.1 million. The former sales representative at Aqua who prompted the government intervention will receive an award of more than $1.7 million.

If you or someone you know has information about fraud involving federal funds or against the U.S., or a state or local, government, the time to contact a whistleblower lawyer is now.

You may be entitled to substantial compensation as a result of your case, but your time may be limited.

Ross Feller Casey has a dedicated staff of whistleblower attorneys that handles cases involving the U.S. False Claims Act as well as lawsuits filed under IRS, SEC and other qui tam statutes. Our experienced qui tam lawyers understand the highly sensitive nature of these cases and the personal and professional risks you are taking to blow the whistle and expose fraud.

Ross Feller Casey handles whistleblower actions across the nation on a contingency basis, meaning there will never be a cost to you unless there is a financial recovery in your case.