Notwithstanding the handwringing from the FDA — and the fact that “safety and effectiveness [of Risperdal] in children had not been established” — Janssen launched a massive marketing campaign to sell Risperdal, off label, to children.

What happened next? How was this chicanery rewarded?

The drug maker reaped billions of dollars in profits.

Fortunately, the American legal system offers mechanisms to stop companies from lying outright or engaging in negligent or careless practices. The federal government eventually sued Johnson & Johnson and Janssen for marketing Risperdal off label to kids as well as to elderly patients suffering from dementia. J&J consented to pay a $2.2 billion fine.

But how much damage was done as a result of their bad practices?

In March 2010, victims of Risperdal joined together to initiate a “mass tort” against Johnson & Johnson. That is currently being litigated in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas.

This blog series will soon look at research done outside of the purview of J&J and Janssen that will provide a more objective look at the relationship among Risperdal, prolactin and gynecomastia. Before that discussion, though, we need to consider the company’s conduct in context. How could our system let drug makers act so monstrously and with such impunity? More on that next time.

For insight into your Risperdal case, call the Davis & Crump team now at 800-277-0300 or email us at info@daviscrump.com.