Michigan Pharmacist Sentenced to 17 years for Medicare Fraud

On February 1, 2013, 50-year-old Canton pharmacist, BABUBHAI “Bob” PATEL, was sentenced today to 17 years in prison for his 26 convictions for health care fraud conspiracy, drug conspiracy, and related fraud and drug violations. During his 6-week trial which ended in August 2012, Mr. Patel’s pharmacies were found to have billed Medicare, Medicaid and BCBSM for drugs that were medically unnecessary and/or never dispensed. The pharmacies also engaged in the payment of kickbacks to physicians for writing prescriptions for expensive and often medically unnecessary drugs. Numerous other defendants charged in the original indictment have either pleaded guilty or been convicted at trial with a small number of physicians and pharmacists awaiting trial. In addition to incarceration, Mr. Patel was ordered to pay$17.3 million to Medicaid and Medicare and $1.5 million to BCBSM in restitution.

The attorneys at The Health Law Partners have a significant amount of experience in the defense of health care fraud investigations and pharmacy legal matters. For more information regarding such matters, please contact Robert S. Iwrey, Esq. at (248) 996-8510 or riwrey@thehlp.com.