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
Mailbag: When to Worry About Memory Lapses
“I’ve been experiencing some memory lapses recently, and I’m worried it might be early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. My mother also had it. What symptoms should I look out for?” – Ann Hi Ann, It’s important to recognize that some degree of memory loss is a normal part of life. Our brains constantly process and...
The Unforeseen Link Between Your Gut and Your Waistline
As the weather warms up and summer approaches, many of us start thinking about shedding those extra pounds… We dust off our gym memberships, stock up on salad greens, and vow to finally fit into those shorts from last year. But what if I told you that the key to achieving a healthy weight might...
Defy Aging with the Sunshine Vitamin
If there’s one thing you absolutely must do for your health, it’s to maintain healthy vitamin D levels. I can’t stress this enough. And if you think vitamin D is only good for beefing up your bones, think again. Because while vitamin D is crucial for maintaining healthy bones, recent research has revealed that this...
Detox Your Drinking Water with a Microplastics Purge
We’re surrounded by plastics. They’re everywhere, from the obvious plastic shampoo bottle to the not-so-obvious clothing on our backs. From the moment we get up in the morning until we slide beneath the sheets at night, we are in contact with them. Heck, some bedsheets contain plastic fibers, so you may ALSO be exposed while...
The TRUTH About Word Finding Troubles
Picture this. You’re having a lively conversation with a friend, and suddenly, find yourself grasping for a word that’s just out of reach. You KNOW it’s in there somewhere, hiding in the recesses of your mind. But no matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to pin it down. When you have trouble word...
FDA Finally Admits “BANNED” Soda Ingredient is Unsafe
I’m not a soda fan for MANY reasons. I wrote an entire book on the dangers of sugar, for example. And research links soda drinking to fatty liver disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and Alzheimer’s. And the diet stuff is no better. Fake-sugar-filled diet sodas cause “metabolic confusion,” and artificial sweeteners are...
Discover WHY We Accidentally Overeat (and How to Stop)
Picture this… You finish eating a nice meal feeling just fine. But then, 20 minutes later, you’re groaning and clutching your belly because you feel uncomfortably stuffed. If this sounds familiar, you’re in good company. Most of us have had this happen. Science reveals why accidental overeating occurs… and what we can do to avoid...
Find Exercise Exhausting and Painful? Try THIS Natural Fix
If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times: “You need to exercise.” And sure, you know how vital it is to healthy aging. But let’s be honest, sometimes it feels nearly impossible to get moving—especially when you know you’ll be sore for DAYS after. However, hold on to your seat because I’ve...
Mailbag: Unsteady on Your Feet? Now What?
“I’ve been having trouble with my balance lately and have fallen a couple of times. Could this be related to osteoporosis or another underlying cause?” – John Hi John, It’s always concerning when someone experiences balance issues or falls. While osteoporosis can contribute to an increased risk of falling, several other underlying causes should also...
Is There Really a Hidden Benefit to BROCCOLI?
Just when we thought broccoli’s resume couldn’t get any more impressive, new research proves us wrong. The phytonutrients in this tasty veggie can lower inflammation… balance blood sugar… and even boost your memory. And you likely already know of broccoli’s legendary prowess in preventing cancer. Now, a new study reveals that sulforaphane, the potent compound...