• Reuters, Thursday, February 26, 2009 10:45 AM

The U.S. Justice Dept. has filed a civil lawsuit in Massachusetts accusing Forest Laboratories of inappropriately marketing antidepressants Celexa and Lexapro for children and paying kickbacks to pediatricians who prescribed the drugs. The charges revolve around a promotion that included fishing trips, golf and spa outings as well as tickets for physicians to attend sporting events and Broadway theaters as well as meals at fine restaurants.

Prosecutors says Celexa is no more effective than a placebo when taken by children or teenagers, and, in fact, more patients taking it report suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide. The Food and Drug Administration requires that Forest put a warning on the labels for the drugs, which are chemically similar.

Lexapro is Forest's top-selling drug; Celexa lost patent protection and is no longer a major product. Frank Murdolo, Forest Laboratory's vp of investor relations, says that the company is working with the government in an investigation that dates to 2004. "We've seen the release but that's all we've seen," he says.

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