Takeda Pharmaceuticals Settles Kickback Allegations for $13.6 Million

Takeda Pharmaceuticals agreed to pay $13.6 million to settle allegations announced by the U.S. Department of Justice on May 15, 2026. The company allegedly paid kickbacks to doctors from January 2014 to October 2020, including speaking fees and meals at high-end restaurants, to persuade physicians to prescribe Trintellix, an antidepressant. The payments allegedly caused Medicaid to pay false claims.

Kickback settlement details

• ▪Takeda Pharmaceuticals allegedly caused Medicaid to pay false claims by paying kickbacks to doctors.
• ▪Takeda Pharmaceuticals agreed to pay $13.6 million to settle kickback allegations.
• ▪The U.S. Department of Justice announced the Takeda Pharmaceuticals settlement on May 15, 2026.

Alleged misconduct practices

• ▪From January 2014 to October 2020, Takeda Pharmaceuticals allegedly paid for meals at high-end restaurants to persuade physicians to prescribe Trintellix.
• ▪From January 2014 to October 2020, Takeda Pharmaceuticals allegedly offered speaking fees to physicians to persuade them to prescribe Trintellix.
• ▪Certain doctors who attended multiple Takeda Pharmaceuticals programs on the same topic and received meals and drinks did not gain any educational benefit from attending the programs.
• ▪Trintellix is an antidepressant.

Federal enforcement rationale

• ▪Eric Grant is the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of California.
• ▪Eric Grant stated that prescribing decisions should not be influenced by drug companies' payments or side perks made available to physicians.
• ▪Eric Grant stated that the Takeda Pharmaceuticals settlement demonstrates the continued commitment of his office to ensure that patients' best interests remain paramount.

Perspective of U.S. Department of Justice / U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California

• ▪Eric Grant stated that the Takeda Pharmaceuticals settlement demonstrates the continued commitment of his office to ensure that patients' best interests remain paramount.
• ▪Eric Grant stated that prescribing decisions should not be influenced by drug companies' payments or side perks made available to physicians.

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