Northern New England to Receive $9.6 Million in Drug Settlement

Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire are receiving a total of $9.6 million as part of a nationwide settlement between the drug company Johnson & Johnson and the 34 other states.

The $181 million nationwide settlement with Johnson and Johnson subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals is believed to be the largest multi-state consumer protection settlement ever.

Vermont's share is $4.1 million. New Hampshire's is about $2.8 million and Maine's is $2.7 million.

The states allege that Janssen improperly marketed the anti-psychotic drugs Risperdal, Risperdal Consta, Risperdal M-Tab and Invega.

The complaint alleges that Janssen engaged in unfair and deceptive practices when it marketed Risperdal for unapproved uses.

The settlement restricts Janssen from promoting some of its anti-psychotic drugs for "off-label" uses that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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