2015 Incidents
Nationwide Epidemic of Counterfeit Pain Pills Containing Fentanyl Claims Lives in 23 States
On October 23, 2015, the San Francisco Department of Public Health released an urgent warning concerning deadly fentanyl disguised as the low-level anti-anxiety medication Xanax. 3 people in San Francisco died as a result of consuming the fentanyl-laced pills. Since that time there have been reported deaths and overdoses attributable to the fake pills in…
[...]Stockton area Oncologist Pays $736,000 to Resolve False Claims Allegations Pertaining to Fake Cancer Drug Purchases
Dr. Neelesh Bangalore has agreed to pay $736,000 to resolve allegations that he improperly billed Medicare for oncology drugs he purchased from a foreign supplier. Dr. Bangalore is alleged to have purchased several different chemotherapy drugs from unlicensed foreign pharmaceutical distributor, Richards Pharma. Richards Pharma, or Warwick Healthcare Solutions was an unsanctioned pharmaceutical distributor that…
[...]Internet Pharmacy Giant Canada Drugs Indicted on Counterfeit Drug Importation Charges
On August 7, 2015, the indictment in the case “USA v. CanadaDrugs.com Ltd. Partnership” was unsealed. The indictment was originally returned by the grand jury in November 2014. It lists 14 defendants including: Canada Drugs. Com Ltd., Partnership, Thorkelson Consulting, Ltd., 4208081 Canada, Ltd., Rockley Ventures, Ltd., Global Drug Supply, Ltd., River East Supplies, Ltd.,…
[...]Missouri Oncologist Sentenced For Buying Cancer Medication from Supplier of Fake Avastin
On July 15, 2015, Doctor Robert L. Carter of Joplin, Missouri was sentenced to 5 years probation and required to pay more than a million dollars in restitution and fines for purchasing non-FDA approved medications from CanadaDrugs subsidiary Quality Specialty Products (QSP). QSP shipped misbranded and FDA-unapproved drugs to Carter at his practice in Joplin.…
[...]Florida Oncologist Charged With Medicare Fraud and Buying Cancer Medication from Known Counterfeit Drug Seller
Dr. Anda Norbergs was the head doctor, owner, and operator of East Lake Oncology (ELO), a cancer treatment clinic located in Palm Harbor. Beginning at around June 2009, it is alleged that she began ordering drugs from foreign distributors, including CanadaDrugs subsidiary Quality Specialty Products (QSP). The drugs she purchased included drugs from foreign businesses…
[...]Illicit Canadian Pharmaceutical Wholesaler Pays $75 Million and 5 Conspirators Prosecuted in Massive Misbranded/Counterfeit Drugs Case
In one of the largest prosecutions of its kind, illicit Canadian pharmaceutical wholesaler SB Medical Inc./TC Medical Group were fined $45 million and forced to forfeit another $30 million in profits due to their years-long conspiracy to smuggle misbranded and counterfeit medications into the United States. From 2011-2014, TC Medical smuggled orthopedic injections, rheumatology infusions,…
[...]Canada-based Company that Acted as Drop-Shipper Pays $33 Million Fine in Misbranded Drug Smuggling Case
A Federal Court in Virginia has accepted the guilty plea of SB Medical Inc. and TC Medical Group on charges that they indulged in a multi-year conspiracy to smuggle and sell misbranded prescription pharmaceuticals in the United States and unlicensed wholesaling of prescription drugs. SB Medical Inc. was based in Toronto, Canada, and TC Medical…
[...]Texas Physician Pleads Guilty to Importing Cancer Medication from Supplier of Fake Avastin
On April 23, 2015, Dr. Mohamed Ayman Ghraowi pleaded guilty to charges that he and his South Texas Comprehensive Cancer Centers PLLC caused the introduction into interstate commerce of misbranded prescription cancer drugs worth more than $900,000, from CanadaDrugs subsidiary Montana Healthcare Solutions. His indictment noted that he purchased misbranded cancer drugs from Montana Healthcare…
[...]Utah Cancer Treatment Center and Clinic Owner Plead Guilty to Buying from Counterfeit Drug Supplier QSP
In April 2015, Dr. Ali Ben-Jacob pleaded guilty to importing misbranded cancer medication from CanadaDrugs subsidiary Quality Specialty Products (QSP). His Cache Valley Cancer Treatment and Research Clinic also pleaded guilty to purchasing the misbranded cancer drugs and resolved a civil claim with the Department of Justice brought on behalf of the FDA and federal…
[...]Dallas Pair Arrested After Client Found Dead from Fake Beauty Treatments
Denise Ross and Jimmy Joe “Alicia” Clark have been arrested in Dallas on murder charges stemming from their use of Hydrogel as a beauty injection treatment. Wykesha Reid’s body was found wrapped in gauze in Ross and Clark’s abandoned beauty salon. Even before Reid’s death, authorities had sought Ross and Clark for practicing medicine without…
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