How Can Patient Right Be Protected?

Risperdal

• Developed by Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen pharmaceuticals Unit
• FDA proofed for psychotic disorders linked to schizophrenia
• At its peak year 2007, Risoerdal produced $ 4.5 billion in revenue
• 2003 approved for bipolar disorder
• 2007 approved autism
• Never approved for dementia

False Claims:

1. In 1994 FDA ordered J & J to stop making false and misleading marketing claims about the drug’s superior to its competing medicine.
2. In 1999 FDA warned J & J on its overstated Risperdal’s benefits while understated its risks because J & J indirect marketed it is effect for bipolar.
3. 2004 state of Louisiana sued J & J for off-label marketing of Riperdal to elderly and children.
4. 2010 FDA accused J & J paid kickback for recommending Risperdal to nursing home patients.
5. Riperdal was promoted by J & J through doctors, nursing homes, and VA's on treating bipolar disorder, dementia, mood and anxiety disorders and other unapproved uses.
   

This is one example of misleading drugs marketed by pharmaceutical companies. As the table on the right corner showed that off-label marketing is such a common practice in the Pharmaceutic industry, $ 634 million to 2.3 billion was paid for settlement, but what about the patients who get medicine which does not treat their diseases? How can patients' rights be protected? For the dementia patients who are given Riperdal: who will be responsible for their disease's continued progress instead of being slowed down or being stopped after treatment? Should there be more rules to constrict the drugs to their proven treatment?
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_12/b4171068582130.htm