Eli Lilly Hit with Record $1.41B Fine for Zyprexa Off-Label Push!

Pharma powerhouse Eli Lilly & Co. faces a historic $1.415 billion penalty for pushing its antipsychotic drug, Zyprexa, for unapproved uses.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the record-breaking fine, marking the largest criminal fine ever in a healthcare case and the biggest for any corporation in US history.

Eli Lilly admits to promoting Zyprexa as dementia treatment, a move that led to false claims submitted to federal programs like Medicaid and TRICARE. The plea agreement includes a $515 million criminal fine and $800 million civil settlement.

The FDA approved Zyprexa for certain psychotic disorders but not for dementia or Alzheimer’s, yet Eli Lilly aggressively marketed it otherwise, leading to the massive payout.