7 Ohio Oncologists Charged with Illegally Importing Non-FDA approved Cancer Medication
Seven Ohio oncologists have been charged with illegally importing non-FDA approved cancer medication. The doctors were charged with a misdemeanor violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the purchasing of misbranded or counterfeit drugs. The accused doctors are: Ranjan Bhandari, Timmappa Bidari, David Fishman, Su-Chiao Kuo, Marwan Massouh, Poornanand Palaparty, and Hassan Tahsildar. If convicted, each faces up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
Who: Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA_OCI), Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General., U.S. Department of Justice.
When: August 13, 2013, 2013.
Where:Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.
How: Investigation by The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigation.
Additional details: The doctors are alleged to have purchased several cancer medications, including Zometa, Kytril, Taxotere, Gemzar, Eloxatin and others, from foreign sources. None of the drugs cited were FDA-approved or tested.
Related sources:
“ Seven Oncologists Charged With Importing Unapproved Drugs,” U.S. Department of Justice Press Release. August 13, 2013.
“ August 13, 2013: Seven Oncologists Charged with Importing Unapproved Drugs,” FDA Press Release. August 13, 2013.
“ NE Ohio doctors accused of importing unapproved drugs,”CantonRep. August 13, 2013.
“ Seven NE Ohio doctors charged with illegally importing unapproved cancer drugs to U.S.,”Cleveland.com. August 13, 2013.
“ Westlake, Parma oncologists charged with importing non-FDA cancer drugs,”WKYC.com. August 13, 2013.