The state of Idaho will receive more than $47,000 as part of a nationwide settlement with a drug manufacturer.
EMD Serono has agreed to pay Idaho to settle allegations of causing false or fraudulent claims for Rebif to be submitted to the Medicaid program. Rebif is a prescription drug used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.
The federal government and other states alleged that, from March 2002 through December 2009, the company paid health care professionals for activities such as promotional speaking engagements, attending speaker training, advisory and consultant meetings, educational grants, and charitable contributions. Idaho and the other plaintiffs alleged that at least one purpose of those payments was to induce those professionals to prescribe Rebif.
The $47,000 payment represents Idaho’s share of an agreement in principal to pay the United States and other participating states $44.3 million, plus interest. Of Idaho’s payment, nearly $19,000 will go to Idaho Medicaid as restitution. The rest will go to the state’s General Fund.
