STAT+: Takeda will pay $13.6 million to settle allegations it paid kickbacks to doctors

STAT PlusPharmalot Takeda will pay $13.6 million to settle allegations it paid kickbacks to doctors The company was accused of using speaking fees, meals to boost prescriptions of the antidepressant Trintellix Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Ed SilvermanMay 15, 2026 Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed Silverman[email protected]Ed Silverman, a senior writer and Pharmalot columnist at STAT, has been covering the pharmaceutical industry for nearly three decades. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. Takeda Pharmaceuticals agreed to pay $13.6 million to settle allegations that it paid kickbacks to doctors to prescribe an antidepressant and, consequently, violated federal law by causing Medicaid to pay false claims, the U.S. Department of Justice said in announcing the settlement. From January 2014 to October 2020, the company allegedly offered speaking fees and paid for meals at “high-end” restaurants to persuade physicians to prescribe Trintellix. Moreover, certain doctors who attended multiple programs on the same topic and received meals and drinks did not gain any educational benefit from attending the programs.Advertisement “This settlement demonstrates the continued commitment of my office to ensure that patients’ best interests remain paramount,” Eric Grant, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of California, said in a statement. “Prescribing decisions should not be influenced by drug companies’ payments or side perks made available to physicians.” STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In legal, Pharmaceuticals, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Ed Silverman Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed Silverman, a senior writer and Pharmalot columnist at STAT, has been covering the pharmaceutical industry for nearly three decades. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. Newsletter From the lab to the medicine chest, these are the must-read drug industry updates of the day Recommended Pharmalot May 15, 2026 STAT Plus: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Pharmalot May 15, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about U.S. pressuring Germany on drug prices, FDA upheaval and biotech clinical trials, and more Advertisement Exclusive May 14, 2026 STAT Plus: CDC plans to transfer monkeys to nonprofit’s sanctuary as it seeks to reduce animal testing Pharmalot May 14, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about upbeat results for a Duchenne drug, Takeda layoffs, and much more Pharmalot May 13, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about FDA’s Makary resigning, a Lilly weight loss drug trial, and more Subscriber Picks