07/29/2010 09:40:14 PM EDT -- Targeted News Service

Kentucky Issues Solicitation for Legal Services to Assist with Investigation of Pharmaceutical Company

By Targeted News Service

WASHINGTON, July 29 -- The state of Kentucky issued the following solicitation notice for the Office of Attorney General:

Solicitation: 1100000034

Solicitation Type: Request for Proposals

Status: Open

Description: Legal ser to assist w/investigation of pharmaceutical co.

Issued Date: 7/28/2010

Closing Date: 8/9/2010

Closing Time: 16:30

Time Left: 11 Days, 9 Hours

Requesting Office: Capital Bldg., Suite 34

Phone: 502-696-5621

Issuing Office: Capital Bldg., Suite 34

Phone: 502-696-5621

Online Responses Prohibited: Yes

Contact Information

Marie Gardner

Phone: 502-696-5666

Email: Marie.Gardner@ag.ky.gov

Fax: 502-564-8735

Commodity Information

Group 1: Default

Group 1, Line 1

Line Type: Service

Awarded Date:

CL Description: Legal Services- Pharmaceutical Companies

Commodity Code: 96149 Legal Services, Attorneys

Start Date: 9/15/2010

Specifications:

End Date: 6/30/2012

Description: THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ("OAG") SEEKS PROPOSALS FOR LEGAL SERVICES TO ASSIST WITH THE INVESTIGATION AND POTENTIAL LITIGATION INVOLVING ASTRAZENECA, MANUFACTURER OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL DRUG SEROQUEL, AND ANY OTHER POTENTIALLY LIABLE PARTIES. THIS INCLUDES ANY PARTY INVOLVED IN THE MANUFACTURE, MARKETING, PROMOTION AND SALE OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL DRUG SEROQUEL (QUETIAPINE FUMARATE). THE RFP INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, ASSISTANCE RELATED TO THE OAG'S INVESTIGATION CONCERNING SEROQUEL AND DETERMINING WHETHER THE MANUFACTURER AND/OR RELATED ENTITIES HAVE CAUSED INJURY TO THE KENTUCKY MEDICAID PROGRAM AND KENTUCKY MEDICARE PART B BENEFICIARIES. THE INVESTIGATION INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, WHETHER THE AFOREMENTIONED ENTITIES IMPROPERLY MARKETED THE DRUG SEROQUEL: (1) BY DECEIVING PHYSICIANS, CONSUMERS, THE COMMONWEALTH, AND OTHERS REGARDING THE COMPARATIVE EFFICACY TO OTHER TRADITIONAL OR ATYPICAL ANTIPSYCHOTICS; (2) BY INDUCING MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS TO PRESCRIBE SEROQUEL DESPITE THE FACT THAT THESE DRUGS PRESENTED A SUBSTANTIAL RISK OF ADVERSE SIDE EFFECTS UPON PATIENTS TAKING SAME; (3) BY FAILING TO WARN OF THE SUBSTANTIAL RISKS OF SERIOUS MEDICAL SIDE EFFECTS TO WHICH PATIENTS TAKING SEROQUEL WOULD BE EXPOSED TO INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DIABETES, HYPERGLYCEMIA AND KETOACIDOSIS; AND (4) BY UNLAWFULLY PROMOTING SEROQUEL FOR USAGE IN POPULATIONS FOR WHICH IT HAD NOT RECEIVED FDA APPROVAL AND FOR WHICH THE EFFICACY AND SIDE EFFECTS HAD NOT BEEN ESTABLISHED THROUGH ADEQUATE CLINICAL EVIDENCE.

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