Colts Neck Oncologist Used Illegal, Unapproved Foreign Chemo, Feds Say

COLTS NECK, NJ - An oncology doctor and his wife, who live in Colts Neck and practiced in Wall and Howell, agreed to pay the United States $1.7 million Thursday to resolve allegations that they illegally imported and used unapproved chemotherapy drugs from foreign distributors.

Dr. Kenneth Nahum and his wife, Ann Walsh, then illegally billed Medicare for the chemo, U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said.

Dr. Nahum ran his oncology practice in Howell and Wall. From April 1, 2010 until January 31, 2011, he and his wife ordered unapproved chemotherapy drugs from a foreign distributor, federal prosecutors said. These drugs had not been approved by the FDA for use in the United States.

Doctors at the practice injected the drugs into their patients, and the practice then submitted claims to Medicare for reimbursement for the drugs and infusion services. Medicare only reimburses for drugs that have been approved for use in the United States.

“Illegally imported drugs avoid the FDA’s rigorous oversight and manufacturing standards,” U.S. Attorney Fishman said. “Healthcare providers who import those drugs are exposing their patients to serious risks of harm from contaminated or counterfeit products.”