Abbott Sets Aside $1.5 Billion for Potential Settlement of Depakote Off-Label Probe

Abbott Laboratories Oct. 19 disclosed in an 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it has set aside $1.5 billion in litigation reserves in connection with a Department of Justice inquiry into the possible off-label marketing of its marketing of its anti-seizure medication Depakote (divalproex sodium).

Abbott said settlement discussions are ongoing in the Depakote investigation, which was initiated through the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia. Until the settlement discussions conclude, Abbott said, “there can be no certainty about definitive resolution.”

The Food and Drug Administration approved Depakote for treatment of bipolar disorder, epileptic ...