Pharmaceutical companies spent 20 billion dollars in lawsuits in the US between 1991 and 2000. This was revealed by a recent report by Public Citizens, the US consumers' association. Leading the ranking GlaxoSmithKline with 4.5 billion, followed by Pfizer (2.9), Eli Lilly (1.7) and Schering-Plough (1.33). Below one billion, between $800 and $900 million Bristol-Myer Squibb, AstraZeneca, TAP Pharmaceuticals and Merck & Co. In addition to patient health safety issues, the lawsuits filed concern manufacturing issues and aggressive marketing practices, with illegal promotion and distribution, and the payment of bribes.
The Financial Times online – 18/01/2011 , The Financial Times Pag.17 – 19/01/2011
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