Pharma, whistleblower lessons learned from $900M Biogen settlement

This article features Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto’s partner, David Colapinto.

The substantial $900 million settlement paid by Biogen for violations of the False Claims Act (FCA) underscores the government’s ongoing focus on illegal kickbacks in physician referrals, according to experts and lawyers.

David Colapinto, a partner at the whistleblower law firm Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto, emphasized, “This serves as a reminder for companies to be vigilant in maintaining compliance in this area.”

Biogen recently concluded the settlement of a lawsuit that had been in litigation for years, initiated by former employee Michael Bawduniak. Represented by the specialized law firm Greene, Bawduniak accused Biogen of providing illegal kickbacks to doctors to promote the prescription of the company’s multiple sclerosis medications.