A federal task force comprised of Department of Justice, FBI and OIG officials is expanding a probe of Central Florida physicians involved in sales of the prostate cancer drug Lupron (Leuprolide). The investigators are targeting physicians who received excess supplies of Lupron and resold the drug to others or sought reimbursement from Medicare, Medicaid or insurance companies for free samples. Two Central Florida physicians have pleaded guilty to misdemeanor conspiracy charges and agreed to pay $1.13 million in fines and penalties. At least three other physicians in other parts of the country also have pleaded guilty to criminal charges.
The manufacturer of Lupron, TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc., recently confirmed that its marketing and pricing practices are being investigated under the Federal False Claims Act, the anti-kickback statute, the Prescription Drug Marketing Act and other Medicare and Medicaid fraud statutes. Government investigators have obtained from TAP and
