Lisa Pratta, a former sales representative for Questcor Pharmaceuticals, shares her harrowing journey in “False Claims — One Insider’s Impossible Battle Against Big Pharma Corruption.” Having worked for the company since 2010, Pratta had long suspected that Questcor’s practices regarding their flagship drug, Acthar, were unethical—and likely illegal. A poignant moment at a patient event in 2011 became the catalyst for her decision to expose the company’s dubious methods. Witnessing a mother with multiple sclerosis express hope in Acthar made Pratta confront her conscience, leading her to realize she could no longer remain silent.
Initially, Acthar was marketed as a treatment for various autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, and Pratta understood its legitimate benefits. However, the company’s profit-driven model focused on pushing the drug for inappropriate uses, significantly driving up its price from $40 per vial in 2000 to nearly $39,000 by 2019. Behind the scenes, Questcor engaged in corrupt practices, paying doctors to prescribe Acthar and commissioning misleading research to promote its use. Pratta, having grown up in a challenging environment, developed a strong sense of tenacity that would soon be tested as she began gathering evidence of Questcor’s misconduct.
As she gathered information, Pratta faced daunting challenges, including fears for her safety. She researched the fate of other whistleblowers, which heightened her paranoia. Despite the risks, especially as a single parent burdened with financial pressures, she chose to collaborate with former colleague Pete Keller and lawyers dedicated to investigating Questcor. Discreetly documenting the company’s unethical practices, she endured personal sacrifices, often writing critical notes in clandestine ways to ensure her anonymity and protection.
By January 2012, the Department of Justice initiated a preliminary investigation into Questcor, forcing Pratta into a precarious position. As her dual role as a sales rep and whistleblower became ingrained in her daily life, she had to maintain the façade of loyalty while filing reports on Questcor’s illegal activities. The company faced increased pressure for sales after its acquisition by Mallinckrodt in 2014, amplifying ethical breaches and misconduct. In 2017, Pratta’s complaints about workplace bullying led to her termination, disguised as a corporate restructuring.
In March 2019, the DOJ filed a significant lawsuit against Mallinckrodt, accusing the company of fraudulent marketing practices surrounding Acthar. Pratta’s invaluable contributions were acknowledged, exposing her identity after years of anonymity. Despite the lawsuit’s implications for the company, Mallinckrodt’s subsequent bankruptcy halted legal actions and frustrated Pratta’s quest for justice. Additionally, she faced a class-action lawsuit from a union linked to an MS patient, which ignited further legal troubles for her.
Ultimately, while Pratta’s courage and perseverance led to significant legal actions against Mallinckrodt, the outcomes fell short of her expectations. The company settled for $26.3 million, a fraction of what could have been obtained had the case proceeded to trial, resulting in delayed and diminished compensation for Pratta. Despite this, she expressed no regrets regarding her choice to blow the whistle. The long, arduous journey toward accountability brought her a sense of peace that she had long sought, allowing her to sleep soundly and embrace her moral convictions without compromise.
