Drug maker targeted in press release hoax

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. A press release disseminated Friday on behalf of Javelin Pharmaceuticals is a fake, Javelin said Monday.

The release, titled “US Supreme Court split – rules in favor of Big Pharma,” was given to the press release distribution service Business Wire by an unknown third party claiming to represent Javelin and inadvertently distributed to various news outlets. The release hailed a supposed Supreme Court decision ruling that Javelin’s acute pain products had been lawfully produced and marketed.

Business Wire issued a retraction Saturday. Drug Store News did not pick up the release or report any of its contents.