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(KSL News) Aventis Pharmaceuticals has agreed to pay more than $20 million to settle claims that it defrauded state Medicaid programs by illegally inflating drug prices.
Attorney General Mark Shurtleff announced today that the Utah Medicaid Program has received a check for $66,955 from the settlement. The remaining money is being split between the federal government, District of Columbia and 37 other states.
"The state of Utah is aggressively pursuing drug manufacturers who falsify or inflate their ‘average wholesale prices' in order to cause the Medicaid system to pay more for drugs," says Assistant Attorney General, Robert Steed, director of the Utah Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
From Sept. 1, 1997 through June 30, 2004, Aventis allegedly told pharmacies, doctors and hospitals to charge Medicaid a higher amount for Anzemet than what was actually paid.
The scheme allowed the pharmaceutical company to increase its market share and enabled healthcare providers to increase their profits.
To learn more about Medicaid fraud or report abuse call (801) 244-4636 or go to the related link.
