Corrupt Drug Deal Puts Seniors at Risk
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted October 19, 2017
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
I’ve been around long enough to see drug companies do some of the most corrupt… and unethical… things you can imagine.
They’ve falsified studies… paid off doctors… and even promoted their meds for unapproved and risky uses.
But this latest story might just take the cake.
Because a major drug supplier has been accused of fraud and racketeering to force a dangerous pain medication on countless Americans – including seniors.
It’s a scheme that even turned deadly – and you need to act fast to keep yourself and the people you love safe.
The scheme all started in 2012 when INSYS Therapeutics got approval from the FDA for an ultra-powerful opioid (called Subsys – a type of fentanyl) for use in cancer patients with pain.
Fentanyl, by the way, is a powerful drug that kills people all the time. It is 100 times stronger than morphine and more addictive than heroin.
But there was a problem with INSYS Therapeutics’ new drug – it came with a big price tag and insurance companies wouldn’t pay for treatment unless is was approved in advance.
Insurance companies demanded pre-authorization from the doctors’ office for expensive drugs and procedures.
So INSYS Therapeutics decided to make pre-authorization happen.
They allegedly set up a team of employees that pretended to be doctors’ offices to fool insurance companies into approving the drug.
They even reportedly crafted a script and blocked caller ID so the insurers wouldn’t know that they were calling from the drug company (and not the doctor’s office).
INSYS Therapeutics allegedly used old-fashioned techniques as well: they provided doctors with money and gifts for prescribing Subsys.
This ploy worked (and would have continued to work) until a woman named Sarah Fuller died from an overdose of Subsys.
What brought this to the attention of authorities was that Sarah Fuller did not have cancer – and Subsys was only approved for cancer patients.
Federal prosecutors in Boston have criminally charged six former INSYS executives, including its former CEO, with fraud and racketeering charges related to Subsys.
The lesson here is simple: if drug companies are comfortable falsifying medical records, misleading insurance companies, and providing kickbacks to doctors – then there is almost nothing that they won’t do to sell their drugs.
The reason is clear: there is a mountain of money to be made in health care.
Some drugs make more money than entire countries.
So be cautious when you hear any claim coming from a drug company.
And in the meantime, if you’re taking Subsys or any type of fentanyl, talk to your doctor right away about finding a replacement.
That one conversation may end up saving your life.
Health and Happiness,
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Liver Brain Link Will Have You Rethinking Memory Loss
Here’s something that might surprise you… Your liver could be secretly sabotaging your brain health. We know that what happens in the liver doesn’t always stay in the liver. But now, groundbreaking research reveals just how deeply this vital organ’s health is connected to a critical aspect of aging… your memory and thinking skills. Scientists...
Nature’s Pharmacy Knocks Out Long COVID Symptoms
I’ve had many people ask me about Long COVID recently. It’s a big concern because it’s affecting more survivors than you might think. If you’re one of them—before you resign yourself to a life of lingering symptoms—there’s hope on the horizon… And it comes straight from Mother Nature herself. Recent data paints a sobering picture....
11 Hacks to Beat the Winter Blues
As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, many of us find ourselves battling more than just the cold weather. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression that strikes during fall and winter, affects millions each year. While the exact causes aren’t fully understood, experts say that seasonal changes disrupt our body’s circadian...
Mailbag: Halt Hair Loss Naturally
“I take a lot of vitamins, but my hair is falling out by the handfuls. I am 85 years old, but don’t have any major health problems that I know of.” – Hair Today Gone Tomorrow Hi Hair Today, I understand your concern about hair loss. Few things make us feel older than our years, quite...
5 Fall Foods to Supercharge Your Immune System
It starts with a tickle in the back of your throat… Or a little sniffle or sneeze—and before you know it, you’re knocked down for the count. Cold and flu season has arrived. If you’ve managed to escape these sneaky little viruses so far, let’s try to keep it that way. Because, let’s be honest,...
Common Chemicals Could Be Sabotaging Your Sleep
Do you have trouble sleeping? Many of us blame common causes like afternoon coffee or evening screen time. But what if the real culprit is something you’d never expect—lurking right in your home? New research points to troubling evidence about how everyday chemicals could sabotage your shut-eye… Scientists have uncovered an alarming link between common...
The Forgotten Berry Your Bones Are Craving
Strawberries and blueberries rank first and second as America’s favorite berries. And, of course, cranberries shoot to the top of the list around this time of year. But there’s another underrated berry we should be giving a second look. Especially if you’re a senior concerned about your bone health. Because new research reveals this unassuming...
Gut Hack Helps You Avoid the Flu
Flu season hasn’t ramped up… yet. According to the CDC’s FluView, we’re still hovering at around one percent of the population testing positive for influenza. That’s fantastic news… but it doesn’t mean it’s time to rest. In fact, NOW is the time to prepare, because this is the calm before this season’s storm. As the...
Ditch “Calendar Age” to Live Longer and BETTER
“Age is just a number.” If we’ve heard that phrase once, we’ve heard it a thousand times. So, it’s easy to dismiss the thought. But the truth is, how old you feel is more critical than the number of candles on your birthday cake. Let me explain… Imagine the following scenario… Two 65-year-olds walk into...
5 Reasons to Eat MORE Pumpkin This Fall
When you think of fall, what comes to mind? Colorful leaves? Cozy sweaters? How about pumpkins? Sure, you probably carved one for Halloween, and you may bake a couple cans of it into a pie for Thanksgiving. But what if I told you that this humble squash could ALSO be your secret weapon for staying...