During the past two years there has been a continuation of the trend of record settlements between the federal and state governments and the pharmaceutical companies. These offenses varied state by state.
The federal government has recently pursued criminal charges against the key individual company employees and/or executives who participate in illegal activities involving Medicare and Medicaid programs. Their actions endanger public health programs. In the past, these individuals’ financial penalties are minor compared to the company profits.
Stronger legislation and stricter punishments are necessary on a federal and state level to help deter this continued behavior in the future.
If criminal behavior is suspected, there should be prosecution of key company executives and employees, as well as tougher legislation and more vigorous enforcement. Hopefully, this trend will improve, and eventually end before the public health programs end.
For more information, contact a Gacovino Lake attorney at 1-800-246-HURT (4878).
