New Jersey Oncologist Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Selling Medication for Profit

On May 31, 2023, a New Jersey oncologist pleaded guilty to unlawfully selling prescription medication. The oncologist was recruited by a business person who owned a pharmacy and two wholesale drug distribution companies. In exchange for $5,000 per month, the oncologist used her medical license and allowed others to use her medical license, to purchase prescription drugs typically used to treat cancers, macular degeneration, and autoimmune diseases. These individuals were able to purchase these drugs that they would not otherwise have been permitted to purchase and then sell these drugs for a profit. These individuals made false and misleading representations to the pharmaceutical manufacturers and authorized distributors when purchasing the drugs. They represented that the medications purchased would be used to treat the oncologist’s patients and that the drugs would not be resold. Through the scheme, the individuals purchased millions of dollars of prescription drugs in the oncologist’s name.

The sale of prescription drugs purchased by a healthcare entity is punishable by a maximum three-year prison sentence and a $10,000.00 fine. The oncologist’s plea agreement provides that she will make restitution for the full amount of any loss resulting from the scheme.

Click here to read the entire July 2023 Healthcare Law Update