Avanir Paid Disciplined Doctors to Promote Nudexta: CNN

CNN reports that Otsuka subsidiary Avanir Pharmaceuticals paid a number of doctors who had been disciplined by state medical boards or even had criminal convictions to promote its Nudexta, which is approved by FDA to treat pseudobulbar affect. The network’s investigation found repeated examples of the drug being prescribed to dementia patients to control unruly behavior.

“The medication has experienced a massive jump in sales in recent years, propelled by prescriptions to nursing home residents for whom the drug may not be necessary or even safe,” CNN says.

The story reports that between 2013 and 2016, Avanir and Otsuka paid doctors nearly $14 million for Nudexta-related consulting, promotional speaking, and other services, according to federal government data. The company told CNN it works with experienced and knowledgeable doctors and had a system in place to screen the doctors it works with.

The report reviews several specific doctors and the disciplinary actions they face.