Doctor pleads guilty to giving misbranded drugs
http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2015/01/30/doctor-pleads-guilty-giving-misbranded-drugs/22578939/
A Louisville doctor has pleaded guilty to treating patients with misbranded medications and was sentenced to one year’s probation and ordered to pay $176,915 in restitution, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Dr. Mark Heinicke admitted Tuesday to purchasing medication from foreign drug distributors that were never approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for introduction into the United States, Acting U.S. Attorney John E. Kuhn Jr. said in a news release.
The infusion and injectable medications —Rituxan, Actemra, Remicaid, Aclasta, Prolia and Synvisc, among others — are used to treat cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, the statement said.
In a separate civil agreement, Heinicke agreed to pay $338,493 to settle claims that he falsely billed Medicare for the medications as if they had been FDA-approved.
Heinicke, a rheumotologist who practices at 332 West Broadway, is licensed and in good standing, according to the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure website.
Filed under: General Problems
What about the patients who were treated with these drugs? It’s like the media is only concerned with what happens to doctors…
The government gets theirs.. they are first in line for “damages”.. the pts are on their own to sue the doctor… who the feds who have either seized/liquidated all his assets – ill gotten gains from illegal activity or has otherwise bankrupt not to mention the legal fees the doc will incur to defend himself.. mounting to probably 100’s thousands of dollars. The Feds are here to protect the citizens.. not necessary to make them “whole”