By Dean Seal
Takeda Pharmaceutical will pay $13.7 million to resolve the Justice Department's allegations that it paid kickbacks to healthcare providers for prescribing its antidepressant Trintellix.
The government said Thursday that Takeda's U.S. unit agreed to settle claims that, via the alleged kickback scheme, it knowingly caused the submission of false claims to Medicare and other federal health care programs.
The Justice Department alleged that from 2014 to October 2020, Takeda gave paid speaking opportunities and meals at high-end restaurants to healthcare professionals, with the intention of getting them to prescribe its antidepressant medication Trintellix.
Takeda denies the government's allegations, and its settlement isn't an admission of facts or liability, according to court documents. A representative for the Japanese drugmaker didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Write to Dean Seal at dean.seal@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
By Dean Seal
Takeda Pharmaceutical will pay $13.7 million to resolve the Justice Department's allegations that it paid kickbacks to healthcare providers for prescribing its antidepressant Trintellix.
The government said Thursday that Takeda's U.S. unit agreed to settle claims that, via the alleged kickback scheme, it knowingly caused the submission of false claims to Medicare and other federal health care programs.
The Justice Department alleged that from 2014 to October 2020, Takeda gave paid speaking opportunities and meals at high-end restaurants to healthcare professionals, with the intention of getting them to prescribe its antidepressant medication Trintellix.
The Japanese drugmaker denies the government's allegations, and its settlement isn't an admission of facts or liability, according to court documents.
"Takeda has not admitted wrongdoing of any kind," a spokesperson for the company said. "We are pleased to conclude this matter."
Write to Dean Seal at dean.seal@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
May 14, 2026 16:55 ET (20:55 GMT)
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