On Tuesday, Jeffrey Kraws, senior pharmaceutical analyst at Crystal Research Associates, spoke with ABC News and Al Jazeera television regarding Johnson & Johnson’s $2.2 billion settlement for unlawfully marketing Risperdal, an anti-psychotic drug. Risperdal is FDA approved to treat schizophrenia but was illegally marketed to doctors and nursing homes as a treatment for elderly patients with dementia. The settlement included criminal fines totaling $485 million and civil fines of over $1.7 billion, which included payments to whistleblowers.  

Mr. Kraws spoke with Al Jazeera from New York City in a live segment airing overseas shortly after 4 PM ET on Tuesday. Among other questions, Kraws explains some of the ethical and brand image ramifications of JNJ’s actions and answers how the drug giant was able to use a system of internal as well as third-party players, kickbacks, and unsubstantiated product claims put forth over the years despite repeated warnings from the FDA.