Indiana to receive nearly $793K in Amgen settlement

Amgen Inc. has agreed to pay Indiana nearly $793,000 as part of a larger settlement to resolve allegations it paid kickbacks to physicians who prescribed some of its drugs for unapproved uses.

The Indiana attorney general's office says the deal is part of a $612 million civil settlement with the federal government and six states, including Indiana.

The Thousand Oaks, Calif., company pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court in New York to illegally introducing a misbranded drug into interstate commerce. As part of the criminal case, the company will pay a $136 million fine and a $14 million forfeiture.

The deal settles 10 lawsuits filed around the country.

Officials say Amgen illegally marketed five of its prescription drugs, including the anemia drug Aranesp, and submitted inaccurate price data to Medicaid.