Johnson & Johnson $2.2 Billion Settlement (2013)

The Johnson & Johnson (J&J) $2.2 billion settlement in 2013 stands as another major milestone in healthcare fraud enforcement—particularly in curbing deceptive pharmaceutical marketing.

The case centered on allegations that J&J and its subsidiaries promoted several prescription drugs, including Risperdal and Invega, for off-label uses not approved by the FDA. The company was also accused of paying kickbacks to physicians and nursing home pharmacies to encourage prescribing and distribution.

Ultimately, Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay $2.2 billion to resolve criminal and civil claims—one of the largest healthcare fraud settlements in U.S. history. The case involved multiple whistleblowers, who shared in significant rewards for exposing the misconduct.

The J&J settlement sent a clear message: misleading promotion and profit-driven prescribing in the healthcare system have serious consequences.

We see this case as a testament to the courage of insiders who expose systemic wrongdoing—and a reminder that truth and transparency in healthcare protect not only taxpayers, but patients.