Pharmaceutical Kickbacks

Right now the pharmaceutical industry is in the middle of its biggest challenge in history. Whistleblowers have exposed and continue to expose fraudulent practices ranging from pricing issues to sales and marketing practices at a rate never anticipated by either the pharmaceutical industry or the Department of Justice. Settlements and jury verdicts have been headline grabbing and large, attracting the attention of pharma, regulators, Congress and taxpayers. The qui tam pharmaceutical fraud cases settled since 2000 alone have amounted to over 3.5 billion dollars, representing various patterns of fraud. We expect to see some new patterns as time goes by, especially with the new Medicare prescription drug benefit. Pharmaceutical fraud is still abundant and this blog is intended to keep readers up to date with all pharmaceutical fraud related news and to provide commentary when warranted. This blog also contains an array of laws and regulations concerning the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act set out in an easy to read format.

Small Case Nets Government $3.9 Million for Alleged Medicaid Fraud

by Nolan and Auerbach on August 14, 2009

Special Design Healthcare, a Cape Girardeau, Mo.-based pharmacy, has settled with the U.S. and states of Missouri and Illinois to pay $3.9 million for allegations of Medicaid fraud. According to an article in the August 13, 2009 Chicago Tribune, the pharmacy’s owner is charged with submitting false and fraudulent claims to the two states’ Medicaid programs.

Between October 2002 to June 2006, prosecutors “allege the pharmacy billed Missouri and Illinois Medicaid for more drugs than it purchased, charged for brand name medicine when it dispensed generic, and billed without proper medical authorization,” according to the Chicago Tribune article.

For the full article, go to: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-mo-medicaidfraud,0,6683688.story.

For more information about qui tam law and health care fraud, contact Nolan and Auerbach, PA.

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