Some people will do anything for money.

Published

Tomorrow Wednesday evening Feb 27, CNBC's American Greed will feature the story about that pharmacist that watered down chemo for cancer patients for financial gain. Just wanted to clue you in if you are interested.

Plan to watch it, too!

mc3:nurse:

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Ah, not really. It was simply something he hoped would engender some sympathy and leniency from the court (and public opinion), being in the middle of the Bible Belt and all that... luckily he didn't fool anyone.

The church had papers backing up this pledge thing. He's not the only criminal to hide behind the church pews, either. Dennis Rader was elected president of his congregation shortly before his arrest for killing 10 people and dubbing himself "BTK."

Robert Courtney was caught because he was billing for way more drugs than he was ordering.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Ortho/HH/Radiology-Now Retired.

Excuse me while I vomit!

And to think we thought Hitler was a mongrel!

Little wonder people have trust issues!

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The church had papers backing up this pledge thing.

I'm not saying that he didn't make the pledge, only that it wasn't the reason he'd done such a thing. That was confirmed by what I saw last night (and the investigator didn't buy it either).

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Well, I actually saw the program, and was very, very horrified. He admitted to more than 37 patients and also altered transplant medications. He even used to deliver medications to the doors of some clients. He should rot in hell.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.
Well, I actually saw the program, and was very, very horrified. He admitted to more than 37 patients and also altered transplant medications. He even used to deliver medications to the doors of some clients. He should rot in hell.

I saw it too, and the FBI estimates over 4300 patients were affected.

I got a glance of the list of adulterated medications and at the top of the list was Gentamycin, Rocephin, and Vanco.

I'm still in tears just thinking about it.

The man was only remoseful over one patient. Yet he still adulterated that patient's medications!

I concur, a true sociopath. He only got thirty years. I have to agree, that was not long enough. He should've gotten a few life sentences.

:crying2::crying2::crying2:

Some of the people also sued the pharmaceutical companies, but I'm not sure how they could've really changed anything. The meds had to have been mixed directly at the site, and the pharmacist would've had to do that. I just wish that there was some way to figure out how to keep it from happening again. Right now, I think it could.

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I concur, a true sociopath. He only got thirty years. I have to agree, that was not long enough. He should've gotten a few life sentences.

I remember someone (the DA?) saying that he faced a life sentences had this gone to trial. Surely they would have won the case. The only reason I saw for the plea deal was that he had to agree to open up and give them the full scope of what he'd done. That's when they found out it went far beyond just a couple of chemo meds diluted on 34 patients. I was also struck by how emotional the agents and prosecutors were (and for good reason).

Some of the people also sued the pharmaceutical companies, but I'm not sure how they could've really changed anything. The meds had to have been mixed directly at the site, and the pharmacist would've had to do that. I just wish that there was some way to figure out how to keep it from happening again. Right now, I think it could.
Well, one did say that it was nearly a 'perfect crime'. As far as the drug companies, remember it was a drug rep who first brought this to the attention of the doc. If one of their reps spotted the discrepancies and suspected what was happening, you can bet that someone at the company had taken notice as well. Of interest too was the initial reaction of the company to the doctor's request for testing. The doc received an award for coming forward, I feel this rep deserved some recognition too.
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Now I know that 99.99% of pharmacist are honest but it disturbes me that they did not discuss how to prevent this from happening again. If one person thought of it others will also. If he had been a little less greedy he may have gotten away with it completely. FDA needs to conduct suprise visits through out the country and take samples for inspection. That might deter others from considering trying this.

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Now I know that 99.99% of pharmacist are honest but it disturbes me that they did not discuss how to prevent this from happening again. If one person thought of it others will also.

Perhaps the agents didn't want to tip their hand? Giving those who'd do such a thing a heads up on how they plan to prevent this from happening would simply give them a chance to find a way around it.

Surprise, random testing is a good idea, though.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I agree. It is pointless, really to sue the pharmaceutical company because as long as they provide accurate instructions on how to reconstitute the medication, I do not see how they can be held legally liable.

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Well, I watched the show. That guy cried some phony crocodile tears in the courtroom. He had no remorse. I don't believe for one minute he did this for the church. If he really made a pledge to the church, it was only to make himself look good. Most likely, it was just to rationalize in front of the jury. He is a sociopathic slimeball.

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Specializes in med/surg.
Well, I watched the show. That guy cried some phony crocodile tears in the courtroom. He had no remorse. I don't believe for one minute he did this for the church. If he really made a pledge to the church, it was only to make himself look good. Most likely, it was just to rationalize in front of the jury. He is a sociopathic slimeball.

Yeah, yeah, yeah! How many people use the choose the church to make them look pure of the driven snow?

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