ABSTRACT - Dr William St John LaCorte contends Merck defrauded federal Medicare and Medicaid programs as it marketed its heartburn drug Pepcid to hospitals and nursing homes in 1990's; says in whistle-blower suit that when he prescribed Zantac to his patients in hospitals and nursing homes, he later found that they were given Pepcid without his permission; contends his patients suffered because Pepcid can be more toxic than Zantac if lower does is not used; also contends Merck gave hospitals substantial discounts on Pepcid to prompt them to switch patients to that drug; Merck spokesman Christopher Loder says suit lacks merit (M) A Louisiana doctor is contending that Merck defrauded the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs as it marketed its heartburn drug, Pepcid, to hospitals and nursing homes in the 1990's, according to court records that were recently unsealed.

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