ABBV AbbVie Inc

   By Josh Beckerman 
 

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones sued AbbVie Inc. (ABBV), alleging the company made "illegal kickbacks" to health-care providers to encourage prescriptions of Humira.

AbbVie said the allegations are without merit.

Humira, one of the world's top-selling drugs, treats conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and psoriasis.

Mr. Jones, who filed a complaint in Alameda County Superior Court, alleges the company's "Ambassador" program was intended to "keep patients on a dangerous drug at any cost."

AbbVie said in a statement that it "operates in compliance with the many state and federal laws that govern interactions with healthcare providers and patients."

The company said it "provides a number of support services for patients, once they are prescribed Humira, that both educate and assist patients with their therapy, including nursing support, and these resources are beneficial to patients dealing with a chronic condition."

AbbVie shares recently traded down 2.9%, to $92.60.

Write to Josh Beckerman at josh.beckerman@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 18, 2018 15:48 ET (19:48 GMT)

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