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Bogus pharmacist case scrutinised | Bogus pharmacist case scrutinised |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The medicines regulator is re-examining how a bogus pharmacist bought large quantities of slimming pills and got funding from a pharmaceutical giant. | The medicines regulator is re-examining how a bogus pharmacist bought large quantities of slimming pills and got funding from a pharmaceutical giant. |
Robin Huxley, a salesman from Barnsley, was jailed last month for 14 months for illegally prescribing Xenical. | Robin Huxley, a salesman from Barnsley, was jailed last month for 14 months for illegally prescribing Xenical. |
Roche, which markets Xenical, believed Huxley was a pharmacist running a group of slimming clinics alongside a doctor. | Roche, which markets Xenical, believed Huxley was a pharmacist running a group of slimming clinics alongside a doctor. |
The company says it was simply the victim of crime, but an ex-employee has raised concerns about its practices. | The company says it was simply the victim of crime, but an ex-employee has raised concerns about its practices. |
I feel strongly Roche's business practices have put people's lives at risk and they haven't been called to account Dr Ryta KuzelFormer Roche employee | I feel strongly Roche's business practices have put people's lives at risk and they haven't been called to account Dr Ryta KuzelFormer Roche employee |
Dr Ryta Kuzel, the former head of regulatory affairs, said: "I feel strongly Roche's business practices have put people's lives at risk and they haven't been called to account." | Dr Ryta Kuzel, the former head of regulatory affairs, said: "I feel strongly Roche's business practices have put people's lives at risk and they haven't been called to account." |
Roche has dismissed the claims. | Roche has dismissed the claims. |
In a statement, it said: "We checked the GMC number of the doctor. We had no reason to believe the pharmacist was not legitimate nor had any reasons to check his credentials. | In a statement, it said: "We checked the GMC number of the doctor. We had no reason to believe the pharmacist was not legitimate nor had any reasons to check his credentials. |
"Companies can sell prescription-only medicines to practices as long as there's a healthcare professional who can prescribe." | "Companies can sell prescription-only medicines to practices as long as there's a healthcare professional who can prescribe." |
Concerns | Concerns |
In 2005 Roche and Dr Kuzel learned the Department of Health was investigating the Huxley case. | In 2005 Roche and Dr Kuzel learned the Department of Health was investigating the Huxley case. |
Only a few days later Dr Kuzel was sacked - unfairly according to a later employment tribunal. | Only a few days later Dr Kuzel was sacked - unfairly according to a later employment tribunal. |
Dr Kuzel also knew that Roche had long had concerns about Robin Huxley. At one point he was the biggest buyer of the slimming drug outside the NHS, buying nearly £1m a year. | Dr Kuzel also knew that Roche had long had concerns about Robin Huxley. At one point he was the biggest buyer of the slimming drug outside the NHS, buying nearly £1m a year. |
But large sales to his clinics did not seem to match patient numbers, and Roche employees had been sent to investigate. | But large sales to his clinics did not seem to match patient numbers, and Roche employees had been sent to investigate. |
But far from stopping sales when concerns were raised, Roche decided instead to invest and help expand Huxley's slimming business, according to a report by a Roche employee. | But far from stopping sales when concerns were raised, Roche decided instead to invest and help expand Huxley's slimming business, according to a report by a Roche employee. |
The report said: "I would advise against closing down the trading terms. I feel we may be sacrificing sales just because we are scared of the potential of the private sector. | The report said: "I would advise against closing down the trading terms. I feel we may be sacrificing sales just because we are scared of the potential of the private sector. |
"Rob does have plans to expand to other clinics and on the face of it this seems to be in the interest of Roche." | "Rob does have plans to expand to other clinics and on the face of it this seems to be in the interest of Roche." |
In 2004 Roche gave Robin Huxley £20,000 towards a new diet clinic and had plans to invest more. | In 2004 Roche gave Robin Huxley £20,000 towards a new diet clinic and had plans to invest more. |
Roche insists this funding was unrestricted and in no way linked to the prescribing of Xenical. | Roche insists this funding was unrestricted and in no way linked to the prescribing of Xenical. |
Had it been linked, it would be against the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) professional code. | |
Two investigations are underway, by the ABPI and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. | |
Roche says it is cooperating with both and that there has never been any suggestion of wrong-doing on Roche's part. |
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