Upstate NY whistleblower's info leads to Lidoderm settlement

[hrmjustin]

By Claire Hughes

Albany

An upstate New York pharmaceutical sales representative was among three whistle-blowers to supply information to federal prosecutors leading to a $193 million settlement with makers of the Lidoderm Patch for marketing the pain reliever for unapproved uses.

Under the False Claims Act, central New York resident Peggy Ryan will receive a portion of the settlement. While her share has not been determined, whistle-blowers typically receive between 15 percent and 25 percent of the settlement for civil charges, which totals close to $172 million in this case, according to Angie Moreschi, an investigator with James, Hoyer, Newcomer & Smiljanich, the Tampa-based law firm representing Ryan.

"It was a very stressful thing because she did continue to work for the company after filing the whistle-blower suit," Moreschi said.

Ryan began working for Endo in 2002 and filed her suit in 2005, according to the law firm.

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Upstate-NY-whistleblower-s-info-leads-to-Lidoderm-5257474.php

[In_The_Wind]

1. Good for her.

[hrmjustin]

2. Agreed! She deserves it.

[In_The_Wind]

3. What we really need is more people, like her, who aren't afraid to speak the truth.

[hrmjustin]

4. I agree but these corporations are great at intimidating their employees.

[In_The_Wind]

5. Well, at least they aren't killing anyone as sometimes happened in the past.

Being a whistleblower is risky business.

[hrmjustin]

6. Hey you never know but yes I assume they don't do that.

BTW I notice since I am off mirt I post more ops. Especially in the NY room.