LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -- A lawyer for two drug companies told the Arkansas Supreme Court that the state improperly relied on federal regulations in a lawsuit that resulted in a $1.2 billion award over the companies' marketing of an antipsychotics drug.
The state's attorneys countered during Thursday's hearing before the high court that Johnson & Johnson and a subsidiary were properly penalized for improper marketing of the drug Risperdal.
A Pulaski County jury ruled against the companies in 2012.
The companies also argued that the state brought the case under a Medicaid fraud law when there was no indications of improper reimbursements.
Sixty-five legislators filed a friend of the court brief saying the law was properly applied.
Johnson & Johnson separately agreed to a $2.2 billion federal settlement on similar claims.
More from MBTMag.com
U.S. Safety Agency Likely Probing GM Recall Response
Ending Currency Manipulation Could Create 5.8M Jobs In U.S.
Fraud Allegations At Center Of Oil Spill Hearing
