Lilly Accused of Promoting Off-Label Zyprexa Use

December 18, 2006 · In: Healthcare Companies Healthcare Regulations

Has drugmaker Eli Lilly been promoting the off-label use of antipsychotic Zyprexa for elderly patients with dementia symptoms?

According to an investigation by The New York Times, Lilly has been doing just that since late 2000, despite FDA rules to the contrary. Materials given to the NYT outline a campaign called Viva Zyprexa, in which sales reps are told to suggest the drug for older dementia patients. However, such marketing would run afoul of FDA rules, as Zyprexa is approved to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, not dementia or dementia-related psychosis. In fact, Zyprexa actually carries an FDA warning stating that the drug can increase the risk of death in older patients with dementia-related psychosis. A Lilly spokesperson contended that older patients who seem to have dementia may actually have untreated schizophrenia, but psychiatrists have strongly contested that claim. Lilly is currently facing federal and state investigations over its marketing of Zyprexa, which at $4.2 billion in 2005 sales is Lilly's best-selling product.

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