Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon’s new Attorney General is only in his third day in office, but is already cheering a court victory against a drug company.

Oregon was one of the lead plaintiffs in a case against drug maker, Cephalon.

The settlement will bring Oregon $2.1 million, and will cost Cephalon more than $370 million, nationally.

Tony Green is a spokesman for Attorney General John Kroger. He says not only is this a civil victory, but a criminal one, as well.

Tony Green: “Most of the time in these kinds of cases, these fraud cases, the defendants make some kind of civil settlement. It is very unusual what happened in this case - there was also a criminal settlement. They pleaded guilty to a crime.”

The case involved a painkiller, an anti-seizure drug, and a sleep disorder drug - all of which Cephalon admitted it marketed with Medicaid funds, while lacking federal approval.

Former A.G. Hardy Myers made a habit of fighting pharmaceutical companies in court. Green says his boss sees drug fraud as part of his broader effort to protect Oregon consumers.