Florida Lipitor Conspirator Pleads Guilty in Kansas City District Court

By William Murphy

Published on November 07, 2006

Several people have already either pleaded guilty or been convicted for taking part in the conspiracy to re-import and resell genuine Lipitor intended for South American markets, and to sell counterfeit Lipitor manufactured in Costa Rica. The genuine and counterfeit pills were mixed and eventually channeled to U.S. consumers.

Carlow, owner and operator of the pharmaceutical wholesaler G&K Pharma, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to sell counterfeit, mislabeled, and illegally imported drugs. He also pleaded guilty to related wire fraud charges brought by Tennessee authorities.

As part of his conspiracy plea, Carlow agreed to pay a $500,000 civil forfeiture and give up his pharmacy licenses in Kansas and Missouri. At his upcoming sentencing hearing, to be scheduled after the U.S. Probation Office completes a presentence investigation, he faces a maximum of five years in prison without parole and a $250,000 fine.

Lipitor is a cholesterol-reducing medicine manufactured by Pfizer. Its revenues last year exceeded $12 billion, making it the world's best-selling prescription drug.

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