J&J fined $2.2 bn for faulty drug claims, kickbacks

Global health-care giant Johnson & Johnson will pay more than $2.2 billion to settle allegations that it misrepresented drugs and used kickbacks to promote their sales, the Justice Department said Monday.

In one of the largest health-care fraud settlements in US history, J&J’s criminal and civil fine covers allegations the company promoted prescription drugs Risperdal, Invega and Natrecor for uses not approved as safe and effective by the Food and Drug Administration, the department said.