Medtronic Settles Off-Label Promotion Allegations

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Medical device maker Medtronic will pay $2.8 million to the U.S. Justice Department to settle allegations that it paid doctors to push an unapproved use of one of its products.

Justice officials accused Medtronic of promoting uses of a neuro-stimulation device that were not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The Justice Department alleged Medtronic paid doctors in 20 states "tens of thousands of dollars" to encourage health care providers to use the device off-label.

Medtronic's payment dismisses some of the charges in the case with no admission of liability. In a statement issued Friday, Medtronic says the government's inquiry focused on reimbursement and marketing practices related to Medtronic spinal cord stimulation devices for the treatment of chronic pain.