Illinois Businessman Indicted for Selling Counterfeit Botox and Juviderm
Christopher Carstens, an Alton Illinois businessman, has been charged with nine counts in federal court related to his sales of counterfeit Botox and Juviderm through his company, Orthopaedic Soultions, Inc. It is alleged that Carstens distributed approximately 5,879 units of foreign versions of Botox and Juvederm via his sales representatives to doctors and health care professionals in the United States. The fake drugs were valued at approximately $3,058,183 on the retail market.
Who: United Kingdom’s U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigation (FDA-OCI).
When: April 3, 2013, 2008-2011.
Where:Alton, Illinois. U.S.A.
How:FDA-OCI Investigation.
Additional details: If found guilty, Carstens could face more than 20 years in prison, along with forfeiture of the $3 million on profits he made from his counterfeit drug venture.
Related sources:
“ Illinois Business Owner Indicted For $3 Million Scheme To Sell Foreign Versions Of Botox,” U.S. Department of Justice Press Release. April 3, 2013.
“ Christopher Carstens facing federal charges for foreign Botox,”KSDK.com. April 3, 2013.
“ Alton man, business indicted,”The Telegraph. April 5, 2013.
“ Alton Man Faces Charges Over Foreign Botox,”Alton Daily News. April 5, 2013.