FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 15, 2016
Contact: James Hallinan (505) 660-2216
Drug Company failed to disclose Plavix may have increased patients’ risk of internal bleeding
Albuquerque NM – Today, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas announced that he filed a lawsuit against the pharmaceutical manufacturer Bristol-Meyers Squibb for false and deceptive marketing of the prescription drug Plavix. The complaint alleges that the drug company knew that its drug was ineffective in a percentage of the population and may have increased a patient’s risk of internal bleeding, but the company failed to disclose that to prescribing doctors and the public.
“My office will continue to protect vulnerable New Mexican families and consumers through targeted, impact consumer litigation that will secure economic justice and recover pilfered taxpayer funds,” said Attorney General Balderas. “Companies like this must be held accountable for deceiving the public and profiteering off of taxpayer monies and vulnerable New Mexicans who badly need safe, effective medical treatment.”
Besides alleging deceptive and unfair trade practices, the suit alleges violations of New Mexico’s Medicaid Fraud statutes and the Fraud Against Taxpayers Act. This lawsuit comes out of Attorney General Balderas’ Fraud Against Taxpayers Strike Force. The Strike Force is focused on holding companies accountable for putting profits above New Mexicans and ensuring that New Mexico tax dollars are spent with transparency and accountability.
See attached for a copy of the complaint that was filed yesterday afternoon.
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