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CNN Live At Daybreak

Cruel Cancer Drug Scam in Kansas City

Aired August 15, 2001 - 07:05   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BRIAN NELSON, CNN ANCHOR: Federal agents in Kansas City are searching for cancer patients who may be the victims of a cruel drug scam. A pharmacist is accused of diluting chemotherapy drugs in order to save money.

Peggy Breit of CNN affiliate KMBC picks up the story now.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PEGGY BREIT, KMBC REPORTER (voice over): They poured through records, collecting many on paper and copying off information from computers. The agents started their probe just three weeks ago, because of information from a pharmaceuticals rep.

JEFF LANZA, FBI: What brought this case to light was pure math - realized in talking to a doctor's office that was prescribing this drug that they were actually prescribing more of this drug than could have possibly come from this pharmacy.

BREIT: Testing on the cancer drugs received from the pharmacy showed investigators disturbing information.

LANZA: The allegations are that the drugs were diluted to less than half-strength; in some cases almost zero strength. And, of course, with very expensive chemotherapy drugs like this, the cost of each prescription would go down to the pharmacist a great deal. Several hundred dollars per dosage could be saved by the pharmacy by diluting these drugs.

BREIT: Forty-eight-year-old Robert Courtney is the owner of the pharmacy facing federal charges in regard to diluting the cancer drugs. Now agents are turning their attention to potential victims.

LANZA: The FBI and the FDA are very concerned about the health risks that are posed by this dilution of the strength of the drugs.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NELSON: That report from Peggy Breit of CNN affiliate KMBC in Kansas City.

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