Insys Founder Arrested for Conspiring to Bribe Doctors

Police have arrested John Kapoor, the billionaire founder of Insys Therapeutics Inc., on charges of participating in a scheme to bribe doctors to prescribe his company’s fentanyl-based cancer drug, Subsys. Kapoor is accused of conspiring to commit racketeering, mail fraud and wire fraud. However, Kapoor’s lawyer says his client is innocent and plans to fight the charges.

Other defendants in the suit include Insys former vice presidents Alec Burlakoff and Michael Gurry, former national sales director Richard Simon, and former regional sales directors Sunrise Lee and Joseph Rowan. They have all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

What is Subsys?

Subsys is an under-the-tongue spray containing fentanyl. The drug is intended to treat pain in cancer patients. Fentanyl is a strong, highly addictive opioid. According to prosecutors, Kapoor and the other defendants devised a plan to bribe doctors to prescribe Subsys to their patients. Additionally, they claim the defendants tried to defraud insurers into paying for Subsys when it was prescribed to non-cancer patients.

According to acting U.S. Attorney William Weinreb, the charges reflect the administration’s commitment to combat the opioid epidemic. Opioids took more than 33,000 lives in 2015.

“Opioid addiction has soared in recent years, creating a severe public health crisis. Drug companies need to be on the front lines helping to combat this problem, not making it worse,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured by a drug and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.

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