Fake Lipitor Distributor Pleads Guilty to Neupogen Charges

By William Murphy

Published on October 19, 2006

Albers had been indicted as part of a huge conspiracy to sell stolen, mislabeled, and counterfeit drugs. He allegedly used his company, Albers Medical Distributors Inc., as a conduit for counterfeit Lipitor manufactured in Costa Rica and genuine Lipitor intended for South American markets. Before making his plea, Albers had faced more than 50 criminal counts.

Appearing before U.S. District Judge Ortrie Smith, Albers admitted to selling counterfeit Neupogen and misbranded Neupogen to a California company in 2001. Neupogen is a human growth hormone used to increase white blood cell production in people with impaired immune systems, such as AIDS and cancer patients. In a plea deal, the government agreed to drop the Lipitor and other charges against Albers.

In addition to his plea, Albers will pay a $500,000 civil forfeiture and give up his Kansas and Missouri pharmacist licenses. He faces a sentence of up to six years in federal prison and an additional $500,000 in fines at his sentencing hearing, currently scheduled for Feb. 27.

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