North Carolina AG accuses Insys of illegally pushing fentanyl, files lawsuit

Josh Stein, North Carolina’s attorney general, on Thursday filed a lawsuit against Insys Therapeutics for allegedly conducting a deceptive marketing campaign to promote its fentanyl-based painkiller Subsys, which is meant to exclusively treat breakthrough cancer pain.

Advertisement

The lawsuit alleges Insys delivered illegal kickbacks to physicians in exchange for promoting and prescribing Subsys for non-cancer pain, and deceived health insurers into covering prescriptions of the drug for unapproved use.

“As millions of Americans were becoming addicted to and dying from prescription painkillers, it appears Insys and its sales representatives [were] pushing its incredibly potent opioid on North Carolina patients just to make more money,” Mr. Stein said. “This is unconscionable, it’s unacceptable and it’s illegal. Today, I am acting to hold them accountable.”

In October, police in Phoenix arrested John Kapoor, the founder and former CEO of Insys Therapeutics, on charges of racketeering, conspiracy and fraud related to the alleged scheme to promote the over-prescription of Subsys. Mr. Kapoor pleaded not guilty to the charges in November.

More articles on opioids: 
Pennsylvania’s top opioid prescriber indicted on charges related to 5 patient deaths: 3 things to know 
Allegheny, UPMC receive millions in grants to address Pennsylvania opioid crisis: 3 things to know
Opioid deaths fuel dip in US life expectancy for second straight year: 5 things to know

At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.

Advertisement

Next Up in Legal & Regulatory Issues

Advertisement

Comments are closed.