In brief: $7 million for state in drug settlement

OLYMPIA –Washington state will receive $7 million from multistate settlements with Abbott Laboratories over allegations the company illegally promoted an anti-seizure drug.

Abbott has agreed to pay $1.5 billion over the illegal off-label marketing of its anti-seizure drug Depakote.

A total of 49 states, plus the District of Columbia, are participating in the Medicaid settlement announced Monday. Washington state Attorney General Rob McKenna says the state is to receive $10 million from that, but half of that amount goes to the federal government, netting the state $5 million. The state will receive an additional $2 million under a separate settlement with Abbott of consumer claims in 45 states and the District of Columbia.

The consumer claims over Abbott’s promotion of Depakote for unapproved uses were brought under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.

Depakote is an anti-seizure and mood-stabilizing drug prescribed for bipolar disorder.

Coroner: Man shot by officer killed self

OLYMPIA – An autopsy report has found that a man shot by Olympia police on Friday died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

The autopsy results released Monday by the Thurston County Coroner’s Office rule the death of 53-year-old Bradden W. Ferber, of Olympia, a suicide. The report also said he suffered a large-caliber gunshot wound to his stomach but that it did not cause his death.

A release from the Olympia Police Department said that Olympia police Officer Mike Hovda and Ferber fired almost simultaneously.

Olympia Police Chief Ronnie Roberts said that based on the information he has received, Hovda, a 25-year veteran of the department, was justified in using deadly force because Ferber raised a handgun while walking toward Hovda, presenting a threat.

Hovda is on paid administrative leave while the shooting is being investigated.

Police encountered Ferber on Friday night after responding to a report that a drunken driver was involved in an accident in an apartment complex parking lot. Ferber returned to his apartment and then left the complex on foot, police said. He then was approached by two officers.

As Hovda approached Ferber, police said, Ferber lifted his handgun, and two rounds were fired almost simultaneously. Ferber’s shot entered his head, while the round from the officer’s gun hit Ferber in the torso.

Ferber was an attorney and recently unemployed, according to Thurston County Coroner Gary Warnock.