Gilead Settles Letairis Kickback Allegations for $97 Million

Gilead Sciences has agreed to pay $97 million to settle allegations by the Department of Justice (DOJ) that the company illegally used a foundation to pay Medicare copays for its arterial hypertension drug Letairis (ambrisentan).

The DOJ alleged that between 2007 and 2010, the company made payments to the unnamed foundation, which used the money to cover copays of patients who were prescribed Letairis. It also alleged that Gilead referred Medicare patients to the foundation in order to generate revenue from Medicare and induce purchases of Letairis.

“This settlement demonstrates the government’s commitment to hold accountable companies that pay illegal kickbacks, whether directly or through a third party,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark of the DOJ’s Civil Division.