WASHINGTON – Dr. Drew Pinsky is responding to allegations he took payments from GlaxoSmithKline to promote an antidepressent drug.

While working on an initiative about intimacy and depression funded by Glaxo Wellcome, Pinsky says he recommended the drug Wellbutrin based on his clinical experience.

Pinksy’s full statement:

In the late 90s I was hired to participate in a 2 year initiative discussing intimacy and depression which was funded by an educational grant by Glaxco Wellcome. Services for the non branded campaign included town hall meetings, writings and multi media activities in conjunction with the patient advocacy group the National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association (NDMDA). My comments were consistent with my clinical experience.

Pinksy, a board-certified internist and addiction medicine specialist, is best known as Dr. Drew on his radio and television shows. His segment, “One Minute Clinic” airs daily on WTOP.

Pinsky was mentioned in a complaint filed by the U.S. government against GlaxoSmithKline, according to Forbes.

The court document states Pinsky allegedly received two payments in March and April of 2009 from the pharmaceutical company totaling $270,000 to promote the drug Wellbutrin SR.

GlaxoSmithKline recently pleaded guilty in the largest settlement of health care fraud in U.S. history, reports CBS News.

The company was charged with unlawful promotion of certain prescription drugs and had to pay $3 billion in settlements.

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