It was recently reported that GlaxoSmithKline settled criminal and civil charges for $3 billion. The charges GlaxoSmithKline was facing included deceptive marketing techniques pushing their products to doctors and medical journals. Some of their marketing techniques also focused on teenagers and possibly encouraging them to misuse the drug.

They also falsely promoted some of the benefits of the drugs. Some of the medications involved in the crackdown included Paxil, Advair, Avandia, and Lamictal. A total of nine drugs were involved in the crackdown. The settlement puts an end to a 7 year investigation conducted by the Justice Department and other federal agencies.

As a result of these charges, GlaxoSmithKline has instituted new policies regarding personnel, marketing techniques, and compensation. The settlement is not admission of guilt according to the company-they only admitted guilt to misdemeanor charges to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act for certain aspects of their marketing.