The criminal fine of $2.3 billion levied against Pfizer in 2009 set a new record as the largest healthcare fraud settlement and criminal fine to date. Pfizer was ordered to pay the fine by US regulators after it was found to have engaged in fraud by mispromoting now-withdrawn painkiller Bextra. The company pleaded guilty to charges of advertising the medication for 'off-label' purposes, not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).