AstraZeneca confirms $520 million deal for US off-label marketing of Seroquel, as HHS details action; Court approves suits against Merck & Co over Vio

Following rumors reported yesterday as a result of a Wall Street Journal article, Anglo-Swedish drug major AstraZeneca late on Tuesday confirmed that the company has finalised a previously announced agreement in principle with federal and state entities in the USA to resolve civil allegations relating to the company's past marketing and promotion of its atypical antipsychotic, Seroquel (quetiapine).

Under the terms of the agreement, AstraZeneca denies the allegations but will pay a previously disclosed $520 million that was taken as a reserve in 2009, along with certain accrued interest. As part of the settlement, AstraZeneca has entered into a corporate integrity agreement with the Office of Inspector General of the US Department of Health and Human Services, which will be in effect for five years.