> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.fdaweb.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Harris Probing Alkermes Vivitrol Sales
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/harris-probing-alkermes-vivitrol-sales/
- Published: 2017-11-07T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T23:00:30.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Drugs, #legacy-id-D5140073

Sen. **Kamela Harris** (D-CA) says she has launched an investigation into the drug maker Alkermes and its efforts to artificially boost sales of Vivitrol, a treatment for opioid addiction. In a [statement](https://www.harris.senate.gov/content/senator-harris-launches-investigation-pharmaceutical-manufacturer-alkermes-regarding-opioid?ref=fdaweb.com), Harris referenced news reports indicating that the company attempted to boost sales of its own product while contributing to misconceptions about other medications used in the fight to combat the opioid epidemic, and worked to limit their availability.

Harris says she is asking Alkermes for marketing materials, financial transactions, internal reports, and detailed records.

“For the last several years,” Harris’ statement says, “Alkermes aggressively marketed its drug to people in the criminal justice system, often convincing judges and corrections officers to offer Vivitrol to inmates and parolees rather than treatment drugs with more proven efficacy. Alkermes officials have also spent hundreds of thousands of dollars lobbying state and federal lawmakers in order to receive favorable promotion of Vivitrol and federal funding.”

In a [response](http://www.alkermes.com/?ref=fdaweb.com) on its Web site, Alkermes says it “strongly disagrees” with Harris’ comments. “Vivitrol is one of three FDA-approved medications for the treatment of opioid dependence and the only medication approved for the prevention of relapse to opioid dependence following detoxification,” the company says. “Approved in 2010 for the treatment of opioid dependence, it is the only FDA-approved medication that completely blocks the effects of opioids. Vivitrol does not produce physical dependence and thus is non-addictive…. The opioid addiction treatment system must change if we are to implement and realize the promise of patient-centered care…. Alkermes has been transparent in its efforts to support patient-centered care. Alkermes is focused on ensuring that patients, healthcare professionals, and criminal justice officials are educated on Vivitrol and believes that patients should have access to all medications.”