The subpoenas relate to investigations into the sales and marketing of Risperdal by Janssen, Topamax by Ortho-McNeil and Natrecor by Scios – each subsidiaries of Johnson & Johnson. The subpoenas request information regarding Johnson & Johnson’s corporate supervision and oversight of these three subsidiaries.
The investigations, which J&J has previously disclosed, relates to allegations of “off-label marketing” – the practice of marketing drugs for indications which have not been approved. Although physicians are free to prescribe any approved drug if they believe it will help a patient, drug companies are prohibited from marketing drugs in unapproved indications.
Risperdal is approved for schizophrenia, Topamax is an anti-seizure drug and Natrecor is for congestive heart failure patients. Johnson & Johnson said that it will cooperate in responding to these requests.