Founder of Montana Healthcare Solutions Pleads Guilty in Counterfeit Cancer Drug Case

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On March 21, 2013, Paul Bottomley, a citizen of the United Kingdom, signed a plea agreement acknowledging his guilt in distributing counterfeit versions of the cancer drug Avastin in the United States. He admitted that the business he founded, Montana Healthcare Solutions, played a significant role in distributing the counterfeit cancer medication to doctors and medical practices in the U.S. Bottomley agreed to forfeit over $6 million in profits he made from his business, including land in Montana and an Aston Martin that sold at auction for $110,000. He was sentenced to 5 years probation, and 6 months home confinement.

Who: U.S Department of Justice (DOJ) and Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigation (FDA-OCI).

When: April 24, 2013, 2008-2012.

Where:Belgrade, Montana, U.S.A.

How: Investigation by The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigation.

Additional details: Bottomley sold Montana Healthcare Solutions to Internet-based Pharmacy Operation Canada Drugs in 2010, but continued to act as advisor to the company until his arrest.

Related sources:

Paul Daniel Bottomley Pleads Guilty In U.S. Federal Court,” U.S. Department of Justice Press Release. April 24, 2013.

Paul Daniel Bottomley Plea Agreement,” Clerk of the U.S. District Court, District of Montana, Billings. April 24, 2013.

Guilty Plea Expected In Fake-Drugs Case,”Wall Street Journal. March 26, 2013.

Aston Martin forfeited, auctioned in Belgrade cancer-drug case,”The Missoulan. April 16, 2013.

U.S. sentences man in latest fake cancer drug case,”NBC News. July 12, 2013.

Montana man sentenced in fake cancer drug scheme,”Yahoo News.com. July 12, 2013.

Counterfeit Drugs: Prosecuting the Profiteers, Protecting the Public Health,”FDA Voice Blog. July 15, 2013.

Fake Avastin Tied to Small Montana Distributor,”WDTV.com. February 17, 2012.