Dive Brief:
- Chicago psychiatrist Michael Reinstein, 72, who pleaded guilty in 2015 to violation of the federal anti-kickback statute, was sentenced Friday to nine months in federal prison, Modern Healthcare reports.
- Reinstein reportedly became the highest-volume prescriber in the U.S. for clozapine while receiving kickbacks for the prescriptions that amounted to a value of almost $600,000.
- In addition to the jail time, Reinstein is being required to forfeit $592,000 and to perform 120 hours of community service.
Dive Insight:
The case is not just about consulting fees and other freebies received in exchange for the prescriptions, many of which went to "thousands of elderly and indigent patients" in the region's nursing homes and hospitals--but about the potential harm done in the process.
While clozapine is considered an appropriate treatment for schizophrenia, it is known to have side effects that can be particularly dangerous for elderly patients, Modern Healthcare notes, including decreased white blood cell count, seizures, and heart inflammation.
Reinstein reportedly prescribed Clozaril, the brand-name version of the drug, until his deal ended and then switched to the generic version after demanding its manufacturers provide a consulting fee and support research by an affiliated entity.