Eli Lilly working to resolve marketing red flags for Zyprexa

INDIANAPOLIS Eli Lilly is in advanced discussions to resolve investigations into its marketing and promotional practices for the anti-psychotic medication Zyprexa (olanzapine), the drug maker announced Tuesday.

As a result of the investigations, led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the company will take a charge of about $1.4 billion for the third quarter of this year.

Lilly said it had incorporated an enhanced compliance program to ensure its marketing and promotional practices comply with laws and regulations.

“Lilly’s compliance programs are comprehensive and demonstrate that compliance is a top priority of the company,” Lilly senior vice president and general counsel Robert Armitage said. “The government?s investigation of Zyprexa has been ongoing for five years, and we now have a heightened sense of responsibility to all our stakeholders to intensify efforts to resolve these issues.”