Bristol-Myers Squibb has agreed to pay more than $515 million to settle federal and state investigations into their drug marketing practices. The civil settlement resolves a broad array of allegations against Bristol-Myers Squibb, dating from 1994 through 2005. Among them were a charge that the New York-based pharmaceutical company illegally promoted the sale of Abilify, an anti-psychotic drug, for pediatric use. This use had not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Contact us now to speak to an attorney (your privacy is assured).

Although physicians are permitted to prescribe drugs for off-label uses, drug companies are prohibited from marketing them for uses that have not been approved by the FDA.

There has been little carefully controlled, long-term research on children taking psychiatric drugs, including the atypical anti-psychotics.

U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan said when pharmaceutical companies market drugs for unapproved uses, there is a potential risk that patients could be harmed, because the drugs have not been tested as rigorously as they are during the FDA approval process. "People depend on this industry, thus the industry has an obligation to ensure that all rules, regulations and laws are complied with," Sullivan said.

Antipsychotic drugs such as Abilify have been linked to two serious complications known as Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) and Tardive Dyskinesia. NMS is a potentially fatal syndrome involving muscle rigidity, an altered mental status and symptoms of cardiac instability (irregular blood pressure, tachycardia,and or irregular pulse). Tardive Dyskinesia is a central nervous system disorder characterized by involuntary movements of the limbs as well as twitching of the face and tongue. If you think that you or someone you love may have been harmed by Abilify, you are strongly encouraged to contact us now. There is no charge and no obligation. If we take your case, there is no fee for our services unless we win your case or settle it in your favor.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by Chantix, you are strongly encouraged to contact us now. There is no charge and no obligation. If we take your case, there is no fee for our services unless we win your case or settle it in your favor.

On the other hand, if you fail to protect your legal rights now, you may lose the right to be compensated for your harm. (Persons seeking to preserve any potential legal claims should contact an attorney promptly, since all states have mandatory time periods in which lawsuits must be filed with the courts; otherwise, they may be forever barred.)

Our firm has a great deal of experience in representing plaintiffs in "drug" cases, and in fact is currently pursuing numerous cases against some of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies.

In addition, we have the resources to handle our own cases. This means that when you call our firm, you talk to your own lawyer who has been assigned to your own case.

Please contact us now. The secure form on the right only takes a couple of minutes to fill out, but if you are uncomfortable sending your information over the internet, please call our toll-free number at 800.965.1461 to immediately speak to an attorney. The call is free and there is no obligation.

Act now, as delays can harm your case.