FDA Permanently Debars Two for Fraud and Counterfeits

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing an order under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the act) permanently debarring Anthony W. Albanese from providing services in any capacity to a person that has an approved or pending drug product application.

On November 5, 2004, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island entered judgment against Mr. Albanese for one count of conspiracy to sell drug samples; one count of unlawful sale of drug samples ; one count of health care fraud; and one count of money laundering .

Additionally the FDA is issuing an order under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the act) permanently debarring Niaja Kane from providing services in any capacity to a person that has an approved or pending drug product application.

On January 22, 2007, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania accepted Niaja Kane's guilty plea and entered judgment against her for trafficking in counterfeit goods, holding counterfeit drugs for sale with intent to defraud, and attempted possession with intent to distribute a counterfeit controlled substance. The actions underlying these convictions were associated with Ms. Kane's order of counterfeit Percocet, Viagra, and Cialis on or about February 28, 2006. These drugs included approximately 2,040 tablets purporting to be Viagra, 1,200 tablets purporting to be Cialis, 2,333 tablets purporting to be Percocet 7.5 milligrams (mg), and 6,573 tablets purporting to be Percocet 10 mg.

These actions are seen as tighter control and enforcement against counterfeit and fraudulent medications within the domestic supply chain.