€1bn charge by Eli Lilly in drug probe

ELI LILLY will record a $1.4 billion (€1.06bn) charge because of probes into past marketing of its top-selling Zyprexa schizophrenia drug and is in advanced talks to resolve the investigations, the company said on Tuesday.

Lilly will record the charge — $1.29 a share — in the third quarter.

The company has faced accusations it improperly marketed Zyprexa to patients who were not approved users and played down side effects such as weight gain.