Patients to Address Court in Doctor's Opioid Kickback Scheme

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Victims of a scheme in which a doctor prescribed them a highly addictive opioid spray in exchange for kickbacks are expected to tell a federal judge how their lives were affected, including stories of overdoses, monthslong withdrawals, weight loss and broken bones from falling while on the powerful drug. Jerrold Rosenberg told one patient, "Stop crying, you're acting like a child," when she complained of severe side effects, which included losing 40 pounds and repeated vomiting for years, according to an excerpt of grand jury testimony filed by prosecutors in the case. Thursday's hearing before U.S. District Judge Jack McConnell is scheduled to help him determine the severity of Rosenberg's crimes, including the number of victims. Rosenberg pleaded guilty in October to health care fraud and kickbacks conspiracy. He faces a maximum 15 years in prison. The criminal case is one of several around the country brought against people associated with Insys Therapeutics and the prescribing of Subsys, which is meant only for cancer patients with severe pain. Rosenberg has admitted that he prescribed Subsys to people who didn't have cancer and that he took $188,000 in kickbacks for writing the prescriptions. In documents filed last week, the U.S. Attorney's office in Providence laid out the stories of several patients who testified before a grand jury that they were hurt by Rosenberg's practices. Among them were two patients who overdosed but survived...
Source: JEMS Patient Care - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: Patient Care News Source Type: news