LAREDO, Texas – Eduardo Miranda M.D., 55, of Laredo, has pleaded guilty to one count of introducing misbranded drugs into the country, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson.
From October 2007 through January 2009, Miranda, a doctor who specializes in treating patients with cancer, ordered cancer drugs from a pharmacy called QSP, based in Canada. These drugs were not approved for distribution or use in the U.S. and did not bear adequate labeling for use. Some of the drugs had instructions and labeling in other languages. QSP was also not an authorized distributor or a retailer of these drugs in Canada.
Miranda then used these drugs interchangeably with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - approved versions on his patients and filed insurance claims with Medicaid, Medicare and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Texas as if he were using lawfully-approved versions.
From October 2007 through January 2009, Miranda, a doctor who specializes in treating patients with cancer, ordered cancer drugs from a pharmacy called QSP, based in Canada. These drugs were not approved for distribution or use in the U.S. and did not bear adequate labeling for use. Some of the drugs had instructions and labeling in other languages. QSP was also not an authorized distributor or a retailer of these drugs in Canada.
Miranda then used these drugs interchangeably with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - approved versions on his patients and filed insurance claims with Medicaid, Medicare and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Texas as if he were using lawfully-approved versions.
As part of the plea agreement, Miranda has agreed to pay back the reimbursement he had received while using non-approved versions - more than $1 million.
He was permitted to remain on bond pending his sentencing, which will be set at a later date. At that time, he will face up to a year in federal prison and/or a possible $100,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the FDA and Texas Attorney General’s Office-Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSA) Raul Guerra and Sonah Lee and former AUSAs Sam Louis, Diana Song and D.J. Young.
The case was investigated by the FDA and Texas Attorney General’s Office-Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSA) Raul Guerra and Sonah Lee and former AUSAs Sam Louis, Diana Song and D.J. Young.
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