Payments to induce a pharmacy to stock a company’s drugs are known in the industry as rebates and can come as financial payments, gift cards and free trips. Reacting to the findings of a Star investigation, Health Minister Eric Hoskins said he has ordered a probe into drug giant Teva. The Ontario government is investigating allegations that a drug company offered pharmacies “illegal” payments to stock its opioid medications fentanyl and oxycodone. This is not the first time Teva’s alleged payments to pharmacies have been probed by the government. The province is also looking into an alleged kickback scheme involving the wholesale chain, Costco, and five generic drug makers, including Teva.

Source: thestar October 20, 2017 02:01 UTC