J&J to settle charge over drug’s marketing

Johnson & Johnson reached an agreement in principle to settle a misdemeanor criminal charge related to the marketing of its antipsychotic drug Risperdal, the company said in a regulatory filing on Tuesday. Prosecutors have been investigating the company's Risperdal sales practices since 2004, including accusations that it marketed the drug for unapproved uses, Johnson & Johnson said in its quarterly filing. "Discussions have been ongoing in an effort to resolve criminal penalties under the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act related to the promotion of Risperdal," Johnson & Johnson said. "Certain issues remain open before a settlement can be finalized." The agreement in principle on the criminal charge is on a single misdemeanor violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the company said.