AUSTIN—Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a $41.5 million settlement with Pfizer and Tris Pharma following allegations that the companies supplied adulterated ADHD medication, Quillivant XR, to children covered under Texas Medicaid.
According to the Office of the Attorney General, the settlement resolves claims that Pfizer and Tris Pharma knowingly distributed a medication that failed to meet required strength and quality standards. Quillivant XR, a methylphenidate-based treatment designed for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), was allegedly produced inconsistently, causing variations in potency and reliability.
“Companies that provide pharmaceuticals to vulnerable children must be held to the highest standards,” Paxton said in a statement. “This office will continue to ensure that no entity profits at the expense of Texans’ health and safety—especially when it comes to medications affecting children.”
The settlement represents restitution to the Texas Medicaid program for funds spent on the adulterated product. Investigators alleged that both companies violated state consumer protection and Medicaid fraud laws by misrepresenting the quality and compliance of Quillivant XR.
Under the terms of the agreement, Pfizer and Tris Pharma deny any wrongdoing but will pay $41.5 million to the State of Texas. The funds will be directed toward recovering Medicaid costs and supporting ongoing efforts to ensure pharmaceutical compliance within the state’s health system.
Regulatory scrutiny over ADHD medications has intensified in recent years as state and federal agencies work to ensure accurate manufacturing and consistent therapeutic doses for patients who rely on these treatments.
