Boehringer Ingelheim has agreed to pay a $13.5 million settlement with the attorneys general of all 50 states and Washington DC.  The settlement is to resolve allegations that the Ridgefield-based pharmaceutical company was deceptive and misleading in the promotion of four of its prescription drugs. 

The attorneys general alleged that Boehringer Ingelheim made misrepresentations about the drugs and claimed that they had approval, characteristics, ingredients, benefits, uses, or qualities that they did not have. Specifically, the states alleged that the company misrepresented that:

• Micardis, a hypertension medication, protected patients from "early morning risks" of strokes and heart attacks and treated metabolic syndrome when, in fact, the company had no evidence to substantiate those claims.

• Aggrenox, an antiplatelet drug, was effective for many conditions "below the neck" – such as heart attacks and congestive heart failure – and that it was superior to a better-known competitor, Plavix, without evidence to substantiate those claims.

• Combivent, a medication used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, could be used as a first-line treatment for bronchospasms associated with COPD, when Combivent is not indicated as a first-line treatment; and

• Atrovent, also used to treat COPD and asthma, and Combivent could be used at doses that exceeded the maximum dosage recommendation in the product labeling and that they were essential for treatment of COPD.

Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle Seagull says when companies misrepresent their products to consumers, not only are they acting irresponsibly, but they betray the public's trust. 

The settlement requires court approval before it is final.  If approved, Connecticut General Fund will get an infusion of $186,357. 

A BI spokeswoman said the company does not admit to any wrongdoing, but settled to avoid legal costs.  The alleged conduct ended in 2008.