In what could be a watershed case between a pharmaceutical company and the FDA, Allergan has filed suit against the FDA in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, seeking a ruling from the court that would allow Allergan to share relevant information about the safe use of BOTOX with the medical community for non-FDA approved uses (i.e., off-label uses). Under current law, the FDA restricts its approvals on pharmaceuticals for very specific uses and treatments. Although physicians have quite a bit of maneuverability and flexibility to prescribe drugs for off-label uses, both the FDA and the Justice Department have taken the hard-line position that federal law prohibits pharmaceutical companies from proactively providing information (including advertising) to the medical community regarding off-label uses, even when such information is accurate, complete and beneficial. For the reasons mentioned in the article below, this is particularly problematic for Allergan.

This is a case we’ll be following closely on Adlaw by Request, and we’ll make every effort to keep you updated on all important developments.

Read the full complaint (PDF).