AHF: Pfizer Wrongdoing Echoes Viagra Case

A Long-time Advocate Against Unlawful and Irresponsible Drug Marketing Tactics,
AHF Lauds the U.S. Justice Department for Holding Pfizer Accountable
WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
As part of its ongoing campaign to lower drug prices and increase access, AIDS
Healthcare Foundation (AHF) today lauded the U.S. Justice Department`s crackdown
on Pfizer, Inc. for its fraudulent drug marketing practices. It was reported
today that Pfizer Inc. agreed to a $1.2 billion criminal fine, the largest in
U.S. history, to resolve an investigation over unlawful prescription drug
promotions, including the promotion of several drugs for the treatment of
medical conditions other than those the drugs had been approved for by federal
regulators-also known as "off-label" use.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation believes that the fraudulent marketing practices
detailed in today`s announcement strongly echo AHF`s own 2007 lawsuit against
Pfizer, Inc., the manufacturer of the blockbuster erectile-dysfunction (ED)
drug, Viagra (sildenafil citrate), over its irresponsible marketing tactics
drug, which encouraged the drug`s off-label use. AHF sued the drug manufacturer
for "Unlawful, Unfair and Fraudulent Business Practices" and challenged "...the
unjust and illegal conduct of drug maker Pfizer Inc., whose unlawful and
deceptive marketing of its erectile dysfunction drug Viagra has caused an
increase in the spread of sexually transmitted diseases including but not
limited to HIV/AIDS.Pfizer has engaged in and continues to engage in this
conduct despite clear evidence of its illegality and harmful effects." AHF also
banned pharmaceutical sales representatives from Pfizer Inc. from calling on
AHF`s medical providers and staff at its healthcare centers.

"AHF-a longtime advocate against harmful drug marketing practices-lauds the
actions of the U.S. Justice Department for holding Pfizer accountable for its
illegal and fraudulent actions," said Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS
Healthcare Foundation. "We believe that such practices are, unfortunately,
widespread within the pharmaceutical industry. The time has come for all drug
companies-not just Pfizer-to be held responsible for harm done to public health
in the name of exorbitant profit."

According to an article in Bloomberg today (Pfizer Agrees to Record Criminal
Fine in Fraud Investigation): "Pfizer Inc. agreed to a $1.2 billion criminal
fine, the largest in U.S. history, and a felony plea by a subsidiary to close an
investigation into what government lawyers described as fraudulent marketing of
drugs…The four-year investigation uncovered a range of practices, including
kickback payments to doctors in the sale of nine other drugs, among them the
impotence drug Viagra and cholesterol pill Lipitor, officials said."

AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Media Contact:
Lori Yeghiayan, 323-860-5227
Mobile: 323-377-4312
lori.yeghiayan@aidshealth.org
or
Media Contact:
Ged Kenslea, 323-860-5225
Mobile: 323-791-5526
gedk@aidshealth.org

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