McKinsey is under criminal investigation in the United States over allegations that the consulting firm played a key role in fueling the opioid epidemic, with federal prosecutors homing in on its work advising OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma and other drugmakers, three people familiar with the matter said.
The inquiry is focused on whether McKinsey engaged in a criminal conspiracy when advising Purdue and other pharmaceutical manufacturers on marketing strategies to boost sales of prescription painkillers that led to widespread addiction and fatal overdoses, two of the people said.
The justice department is also investigating whether McKinsey conspired to commit healthcare fraud when its consulting work for companies selling opioids allegedly resulted in fraudulent claims being made to government programs such as Medicare, they said.
Investigations are not evidence of wrongdoing and officials conducting the inquiry could ultimately pursue criminal charges, seek civil sanctions or close the probe without taking any action.
The justice department probe underscores how McKinsey’s past work advising drugmakers on opioids continues to follow the near-century-old consulting firm.
McKinsey earlier reached separate agreements totaling nearly $1 bn to settle widespread opioid lawsuits and other related legal actions brought by all 50 states, Washington DC, US territories, various local governments, school districts, Native American tribes and health insurers.
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McKinsey is under criminal investigation in the United States over allegations that the consulting firm played a key role in fueling the opioid epidemic, with federal prosecutors homing in on its work advising OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma and other drugmakers, three people familiar with the matter said.
The inquiry is focused on whether McKinsey engaged in a criminal conspiracy when advising Purdue and other pharmaceutical manufacturers on marketing strategies to boost sales of prescription painkillers that led to widespread addiction and fatal overdoses, two of the people said.
The justice department is also investigating whether McKinsey conspired to commit healthcare fraud when its consulting work for companies selling opioids allegedly resulted in fraudulent claims being made to government programs such as Medicare, they said.
Investigations are not evidence of wrongdoing and officials conducting the inquiry could ultimately pursue criminal charges, seek civil sanctions or close the probe without taking any action.
The justice department probe underscores how McKinsey’s past work advising drugmakers on opioids continues to follow the near-century-old consulting firm.
McKinsey earlier reached separate agreements totaling nearly $1 bn to settle widespread opioid lawsuits and other related legal actions brought by all 50 states, Washington DC, US territories, various local governments, school districts, Native American tribes and health insurers.
The original article contains 529 words, the summary contains 210 words. Saved 60%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!