BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Idaho will receive about $52,000 in a settlement with a drug company involving kickbacks to three pharmacies that recommended a drug to Medicaid and Medicare patients.
Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden in a statement Friday says the settlement is the state's share of a $390 million agreement involving more than 40 states and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
Government officials contend in court documents that Novartis paid kickbacks to pharmacies to exaggerate the dangers of not taking Exjade and downplayed the severity of the side effects.
Novartis marketed Exjade as a treatment for patients with underlying conditions involving blood cells and bone marrow.
The pharmacies identified by court documents are BioScrip, Accredo Health Group and US Bioservices.
BioScrip and Accredo Health Group have agreed to pay $15 million and $60 million respectively.
