Illinois gets $1.3 million from Pfizer in settlement over marketing of organ-transplant drug

Illinois will receive $1.3 million as part of a $35 million settlement with a Pfizer Inc. over the marketing of an organ-transplant drug.

Illinois and 41 other states are involved in the settlement with Pfizer, the parent company of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Inc. The deal resolves allegations Wyeth misrepresented the uses of the drug Rapamune.

Rapamune was approved to help prevent the rejection of kidney transplants. But the states alleged the company promoted it to doctors for uses following other organ transplants.

A Wednesday statement from Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan says "promoting drugs for unapproved uses is a potentially deadly practice."

New York-based Pfizer said in a statement the alleged activity occurred before it acquired Wyeth. Pfizer didn't admit wrongdoing or liability as part of the settlement.