Former drug rep sues for unlawful discharge

CHARLESTON -- A former employee is suing Novo Nordisk Pharmaceutical Industries for wrongly terminating his employment.

Brian Semenie, a pharmaceutical sales representative for Novo, was also named as a defendant in the suit.

David Myers began working for the defendant in January 2006 as a district business manager of pharmaceutical sales, according to a complaint filed Nov. 29 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Myers claims during the course of his employment, Novo launched a Web site that provided physicians access to Novo's pharmaceutical drug samples via the Internet.

Myers claims he expressed his concern that Novo was illegally distributing pharmaceutical drug samples.

The defendant willfully, maliciously and unlawfully terminated Myers' employment after he expressed concern, according to the suit.

Myers claims Novo also failed to pay his employment wages within 72 hours.

Semenie falsely reported to Myers' former clients that he had violated company policy, following his discharge, according to the suit.

Myers is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. He is being represented by Todd Bailess.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Carrie Webster.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 10-C-2157