DOJ investigating biliary stents
August 6th, 2008 joshua
Johnson & Johnson revealed in its regulatory filing at the beginning of the week that lawyers from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts have subpoenaed the company regarding the marketing of its bile duct stents, namely Cordis.
These biliary stents are used to carry digestive fluids to the intestines via open bile ducts. Stents are also used to keep arteries open to carry blood to the heart.
Johnson & Johnson, as well as stent maker Abbott Laboratories, each are under investigation for marketing these stents for “off-label” use. Each company is accused of encouraging physicians to push the devices to open other arteries around the body, such as a clogged leg artery.
Boston Scientific also revealed in February it was under a Department of Justice investigation. It has not received a subpoena, unlike J&J and Abbott.
Johnson & Johnson’s Cordis biliary stent has been involved in at least 9 confirmed cases of injuries to patients. In each case, the stent was used not for its intended purpose.












