GlaxoSmithKline to pay $3 b for health fraud

GlaxoSmithKline would pay $3 billion and plead guilty to promoting two popular drugs for unapproved uses and to failing to report important safety data about a diabetes drug to the Food and Drug Administration, the Justice Department said on Monday.

Government officials say it’s the largest health care fraud settlement in U.S. history.

Prosecutors say GSK encouraged use of Paxil for children although it was not approved for anyone under 18. The company also promoted Wellbutrin for uses besides major depressive disorder, its only approved use. They say that between 2001 and 2007, GSK failed to report on two studies of the cardiovascular safety of Avandia, a diabetes drug.