STAT+: AstraZeneca to pay $34 million to settle kickback charges filed by Texas attorney general

STAT PlusPharmalot AstraZeneca to pay $34 million to settle kickback charges filed by Texas attorney general The drugmaker was accused of offering nursing, insurance support services for free to boost prescriptions Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Ed SilvermanJune 29, 2026 Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed Silverman[email protected]Ed’s stories explore prescription drug pricing, affordability and access, as well issues surrounding patents, litigation, and legislation. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. AstraZeneca agreed to pay $34 million to settle claims that the company paid kickbacks to improperly influence prescriptions paid for by Texas Medicaid. The state had alleged that the drugmaker paid the kickbacks in the form of a free network of nurses and insurance support services to boost prescriptions of its medicines. By doing so, AstraZeneca allegedly helped manage key aspects of patient care that a physician would otherwise have to handle or pay staff to perform.Advertisement As a result, the company prompted pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers, and others to submit claims to Texas Medicaid for its medicines. Those claims caused the state health care program to disburse millions of dollars in reimbursements that were not authorized under the Texas Health Care Program Fraud Prevention Act. 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, Medicaid, Pharmaceuticals, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Ed Silverman Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed’s stories explore prescription drug pricing, affordability and access, as well issues surrounding patents, litigation, and legislation. 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 June 30, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Chinese trial sites being probed, RFK Jr. and peptides, and more Pharmalot June 29, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a broader $35 insulin cap, a former FDA cancer drug chief, and more Advertisement Pharmalot June 26, 2026 STAT Plus: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings June 26, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a bill to overhaul the 340B program, a new FDA commissioner candidate, and more Pharmalot June 26, 2026 STAT Plus: European antitrust regulators probe Sanofi for allegedly disparaging a rival flu vaccine Subscriber Picks