Pfizer received a fine of EUR 2 billion in the United States.

Omissions

• The amount was $2.3 billion USD, not EUR 2 billion. At the time of the settlement in September 2009, the exchange rate was approximately 1.45 USD/EUR, making the fine equivalent to roughly EUR 1.6 billion, not EUR 2 billion.
• The settlement dates from September 2009, which is outdated information relative to the session date of April 2026.
• The settlement was not strictly a 'fine' but rather a combined criminal and civil settlement.
• The case involved illegal marketing of multiple drugs, particularly Bextra, which was withdrawn from the market.
• This was the largest health care fraud settlement in U.S. history at that time, which provides important context for the magnitude of the case.

Sources

• PrimaryU.S. Department of JusticePfizer agreed to pay $2.3 billion, the largest health care fraud settlement in the history of the Department of Justice, announced September 2, 2009
• PrimaryFBIPharmaceutical giant Pfizer has agreed to pay $2.3 billion to resolve charges of illegal and fraudulent promotion of its products
• SecondaryReutersPfizer Inc agreed to plead guilty to a US criminal charge relating to promotion of its now-withdrawn Bextra pain medicine and will pay a record $2.3 billion
• SecondaryThe New York TimesThe pharmaceutical giant Pfizer agreed to pay $2.3 billion to settle civil and criminal allegations that it had illegally marketed its painkiller Bextra