SAN FRANCISCO – Attorney General Kamala D. Harris on Wednesday announced a $105 million multistate settlement with GlaxoSmithKline, LLC (GSK) to resolve allegations that the company unlawfully promoted its asthma drug, Advair, and antidepressant drugs, Paxil and Wellbutrin. California’s portion of the settlement is the largest of any state, at $7,087,897.
For the first time in a settlement with a large pharmaceutical manufacturer, GSK is prohibited from providing incentive payments to its salespeople, which serve to encourage off-label promotion of drugs, and from using paid doctors to promote its products.
“Patient care is undermined when pharmaceutical companies promote uses for drugs that have not been approved by the FDA or pay medical professionals to promote certain drugs,” Attorney General Harris said. “This settlement requires GSK to pay a significant penalty and imposes strong new rules designed to prevent future misrepresentations of GSK products.”
The complaint and stipulated judgment, submitted Wednesday to the San Diego County Superior Court, alleges that GSK violated state consumer protection laws by misrepresenting the uses and qualities of certain drugs.
Specifically, GSK shall not:
The stipulated judgment also requires GSK to continue its Patient First Program at least through March 2019.
The Patient First Program reduces financial incentives for sales representatives to engage in deceptive marketing.
In addition, the judgment requires scientifically trained personnel to be ultimately responsible for developing and approving responses to health care provider questions and for these responses to be unbiased and nonpromotional.
Forty-three additional states and the District of Columbia participating in the settlement include: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
SACRAMENTO – California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Health Officer Dr. Ron Chapman has warned people not to eat Navitas Naturals Organic Sprouted Chia Powder, Navitas Naturals Omega Blend Sprouted Smoothie Mix, and Williams-Sonoma Omega 3 Smoothie Mixer because they may be contaminated with salmonella.
As of May 27, 2014, 12 patients infected with the same rare strain of Salmonella have been reported in the United States, including two patients from Southern California.
One case-patient in another state has been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported. Interviews conducted with case patients suggest that chia powder may be the source of the illness cluster.
Navitas Naturals of Novato has initiated a voluntary recall of the following products due to the potential for Salmonella contamination. The products were sold nationally through retail grocery stores, natural food markets, and via on-line sales.
While Navitas Naturals has notified retailers of the recall and asked that the product be removed from store shelves, CDPH is concerned that consumers may still have some of these products in their homes. Consumers in possession of these recalled products should discard them or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection include fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea which may be bloody.
Most infected people recover within a week. Some may develop complications that require hospitalization. Infants, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are at highest risk for more severe illness.
CDPH recommends consumers experiencing any ill effects after consuming these products consult their health care provider.
Consumers that observe the product being offered for sale are encouraged to report the activity to the CDPH toll free complaint line at 800-495-3232.
SACRAMENTO – Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and state health officer, warned consumers with milk allergies not to eat Dave’s Blueberry Muffins and Dave’s Banana Nut Muffins.
People who have milk allergies risk life-threatening reactions.
Bake R Us of Gardena, California, is voluntarily recalling both varieties of muffins because they contain milk that is not declared on the product labels.
The recall was initiated after CDPH identified the labeling omission during a routine inspection of the facility. No illnesses have been reported at this time.
Dave’s Blueberry Muffins and Dave’s Banana Nut Muffins are individually packaged in clear cellophane with a ribbon banner across the front of the package identifying the muffin flavor. Photos of the products are available on the CDPH website on the Bake R Us, Gardena, CA Recalled Product page, https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?shva=1&;pli=1#search/CDPH/1461b65b2c542841 .
Consumers who have the recalled products should return them to the place of purchase. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of a life-threatening allergic reaction, anaphylaxis, which requires immediate medical attention.
Consumers can contact Bake R Us at 310-630-5873 for further information.
Consumers who have experienced an allergic reaction after consuming either of these products should contact their health care provider.
Anyone observing the products being offered for sale is encouraged to call CDPH’s toll free complaint line at 800-495-3232.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Behavioral Health Latino Wellness Center is seeking the community's input on the best times and dates for exercise and educational classes.
La Voz de la Esperanza Centro Latino provides culturally relevant services, with a goal of focusing on education, prevention and development in the Latino community.
Center officials are asking for feedback on the best times and dates for Zumba, yoga, English classes and more.
The center is located at 14585 Olympic Drive #B in Clearlake, right across from the post office. Horus are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
For more information, call 707-994-4261.