New Jersey oncologist, wife to pay $1.7 million over allegedly importing cancer drugs
Practice submitted Medicare claims for the drugs, violating the False Claims Act, DOJ says.
Monmouth County, New Jersey oncologist Kenneth D. Nahum, his practice and his wife who managed the practice, have agreed to pay $1.7 million to settle allegations they illegally imported and administered chemotherapy drugs from foreign distributors that were not FDA-approved, then illegally billed Medicare, the Department of Justice announced.
According to the DOJ, the scheme lasted from April 2010 through January 2011.
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While the drugs were imported, the DOJ said the practice submitted claims to Medicare for reimbursement for the drugs and infusion services, violating the False Claims Act since Medicare will only reimburse for FDA-approved drugs.
"Illegally imported drugs avoid the FDA's rigorous oversight and manufacturing standards," U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said. "Healthcare providers who import those drugs are exposing their patients to serious risks of harm from contaminated or counterfeit products."
Twitter: @BethJSanborn
