GlaxoSmithKline Settlement with the US Justice Department, 2012

This paper evaluates the unethical actions of GSK, a pharmaceutical company headquartered in London, and the consequences of those actions. The company’s deceitful behavior was exposed by four former employees who filed suit against it. In its case with the U.S. Justice Department in 2012, it was found that GSK was guilty of falsely branding its drug products and keeping important health data from the FDA. Consequently, GSK paid $3 billion dollars to the U.S. Department of Justice and entered in a Corporate Integrity Agreement with the U.S. Government. The paper begins with an overview of who the whistleblowers are and follows with details regarding the specific wrongdoings that GSK engaged in, which made the whistleblowers come forward. GSK’s actions will be evaluated under PhRMA’s Guiding Principles on Direct to Consumer Advertisements about Prescription Medicines.