New York state filed civil charges on Tuesday accusing Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd and Allergan Plc with insurance fraud for downplaying the risks of their opioid painkillers to patients and doctors.
New York said Teva intentionally marketed opioids such as Actiq for off-label use, and drafted form "letters of medical necessity" for doctors to boost prescriptions and insurer reimbursements.
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It said Allergan misrepresented the safety of its drugs in marketing materials.
Teva denied the allegations. Abbvie Inc, which bought Allergan in May, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
