DHAKA: British drug maker GlaxoSmithKline agreed to pay $105 million to settle allegations by 44 states and the District of Columbia of the United Sates on America that it promoted its medicines for unapproved uses.

Several USA states attorneys general announced the settlement on Wednesday.

"This settlement requires GSK to pay a significant penalty and imposes strong new rules designed to prevent future misrepresentations of GSK products," California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris said in a news release.

California is getting the largest portion of the settlement payout, about $7.1 million, Harris's office said.

The settlement with the states centers on allegations dating back 14 years. Glaxo was accused by the states of illegally marketing Advair, an asthma drug, and Paxil and Wellbutrin, two antidepressants, for uses without government approval.

The company in 2012 pleaded guilty to criminal charges and agreed to pay $3 billion in civil and criminal fines for promoting its antidepressants for unapproved uses and for failing to report safety data on Avandia, a diabetes drug.

Under the latest settlement with states, Glaxo did not admit to any wrongdoing or liability.

Sources: nytimes.com, wsj.com

BDST: 1111 HRS JUNE 05, 2014