Bard Pays $17 Million to Resolve Kickback Charges

The Justice Department says C.R. Bard and three affiliates have agreed to pay $17 million to resolve a whistleblower’s allegations that they violated the False Claims Act and several state false claims acts by providing free samples and discounts to encourage urology practice groups to use Bard’s prescription form for prescribing intermittent catheters for their patients. A department statement says that Bard began marketing intermittent catheters in 2013 after acquiring Rochester Medical, a developer and supplier of urological products.

The government alleges that between 2016 and 2/2020, the companies provided discounts, excessive free samples, and cost savings for in-office supplies to urology practice groups to persuade them to use Bard’s form.

The settlement resolves allegations filed by a whistleblower, the department says. The whistleblower will receive an undisclosed share of the settlement.