Health care manufacturer Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiaries will pay more than $2.2 billion to resolve criminal and civil investigations over allegations that they marketed three drugs for uses that were never approved, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said Monday in Washington.

The settlements also cover claims that the companies gave "kickbacks" to physicians and to nursing home pharmacies to promote the drugs' usage.

CNN  wrote:

My wife worked at a few Dr offices back in the 80's. Drug reps were always extremely generous with small gifts and samples and stuff with not only for the doctors but the staff as well. There never was a requirement to use the drugs from that company but it was known if you like this guy there was a tendency to prescribe their meds.

I remember Rhonda was leaving after our second child. Her last day was the same day the the rep for Mead Johnson (not affiliated with J&J) came by. They make Enfamil. Our kids were allergic to milk. They were the only company that had the type of food and it was very expensive. I don't remember if it was the soy based one or not.

First let me say my wife did nurse and did so for a while with both of the kids but she needed to supplement their diet as well. This rep loaded her trunk with everything he had with him and gave her his number if she wanted more. It was thousands of dollars of infant food. He knew she wasn't returning to work. He knew there was no benefit by giving it to her. He was just a good man who knew he could make a difference and he did so.

As I type this I seem to recall with the expiration dates it was more food than our son could eat so we had to give a bunch of it to other mothers as well.

Pharmaceutical companies do some things that are wrong I have no doubt but they and their people do some good as well.

Originally Posted by: wpr 

But no doubt you and your wife told many many people about how good this salesman and thus this company was to you. That is the sort of word of mouth advertising that money can't buy. I'm not saying the guy didn't have a good heart and that all he was thinking about was how his act would benefit his company but I am sure his acts did benefit his company.

I do agree with you however that there are companies and individuals who do good deeds simply for the benefit of others. However, most goods deeds do reap some benefit unless it is a totally anonymous deed.

Originally Posted by: sschind