UPDATE 1-US drops charges against orthopedic device makers

CHICAGO, March 30 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Justice said on Monday it dismissed criminal charges against four orthopedic device makers accused of making improper payments to surgeons who used their products.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Newark, New Jersey, said it dismissed the complaints against Zimmer Holdings Inc (ZMH.N), Johnson & Johnson's (JNJ.N) DePuy unit, privately held Biomet Inc and Smith & Nephew Plc (SN.L) after the companies completed the terms of monitoring and deferred prosecution agreements with the government.
The complaints against the companies, filed in September 2007, alleged criminal violations of the federal anti-kickback statute.

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