Bristol-Myers Says It Has Been Subpoenaed

The Bristol-Myers Squibb Company said yesterday that it had received a subpoena from the United States attorney in Boston over pricing and marketing of drugs covered by Medicare and Medicaid.

(The New York Times / August 9, 2003) -- The Bristol-Myers Squibb Company said yesterday that it had received a subpoena from the United States attorney in Boston over pricing and marketing of drugs covered by Medicare and Medicaid.

Last month, Bristol-Myers said that it started an internal review of its sales and marketing practices to make sure that they did not violate laws.

The company shared information about its inquiry with representatives of the United States attorney, who then subpoenaed the company, according to a regulatory filing.

Prosecutors have been cracking down on drug makers that fail to give the best price for a medicine to government health insurance programs or whose marketing practices result in fraudulent reimbursement claims.

The filing did not say when the subpoena was received. The investigations could result in criminal or civil claims, according to the filing.