Maryland has joined with 44 other states and the federal government in a $33.5 million fraud settlement case with the maker of an anti-inflammatory drug used after cataract surgery, according to Maryland Attorney General Doug F. Gansler's office.
The Maryland Medicaid Program will receive $9,796.51 in the case that accuses ISTA Pharmaceuticals Inc. of marketing the drug Xibrom for uses not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The drugmaker is also accused of paying doctors kickbacks to write presciptions for the medication.
The settlement included $15 million to compensate the states and federal government to repay money lost through Medicare, Medicaid and the other health insurance programs. It also included $18.5 million in fines to settle criminal charges.