Oregon Helps Expose $202 Million HIV Drug Kickback Scandal That Put Profits Before Patients
As part of a multistate settlement against Gilead Sciences, Inc., Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield helped secure a $202 Million Settlement over a kickback scheme involving HIV medications between 2011 and 2017.
Oregon Settles Gilead Kickbacks Lawsuit
Rayfield announced yesterday that Oregon has joined a multistate coalition in securing a $202 million settlement in principle with Gilead Sciences, Inc., resolving allegations that the pharmaceutical giant paid illegal kickbacks to health care providers to promote its HIV medications.
The unlawful scheme resulted in millions of dollars in false claims submitted to government healthcare programs, including Oregon’s Medicaid program.
Rayfield said!
When powerful drug companies distort medical decisions with kickbacks, it’s the patients—and public trust—that pay the price.
The kickbacks, which included honoraria, expensive meals, and travel perks, violate the federal Anti-Kickback Statute and state false claims laws, while putting profits ahead of patients and undermining medical integrity.
The $202 million settlement, investigated and prosecuted by the Oregon Department of Justice’s Medicaid Fraud Unit, stems from a whistleblower lawsuit filed under the federal and state False Claims Acts.
It resolves claims that Gilead provided improper financial incentives to doctors who attended or spoke at promotional events for its HIV drugs: Stribild®, Genvoya®, Complera®, Odefsey®, Descovy®, and Biktarvy®.
Oregon will receive $467,556 in restitution and penalties as part of the national agreement. As part of the agreement, which ensures accountability and helps restore integrity to the system patients rely on, Gilead has also made detailed factual admissions about its conduct.
To Report Medical Fraud or Abuse:
- Call 9-1-1 in an emergency, or
- Report Abuse/neglect at the hotline on 1-855-503-SAFE (7233);
- Report Medicaid provider fraud to [email protected].