Natalie Levine, Kickback Scheme, Connecticut 2023

Natalie Levine, a 35-year-old sales representative for Insys Therapeutics, has been sentenced to five years of probation for her role in a kickback scheme related to fentanyl spray prescriptions.

On [March 2013 to October 2014], Levine induced certain medical practitioners to prescribe Subsys, a fentanyl-based sublingual spray, by paying them to participate in sham 'Speaker Programs.'

Levine was responsible for covering the territories that included Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

The medical practitioners were paid thousands of dollars in illegal kickbacks to prescribe Subsys and induce others to prescribe the medication over similar medications.

Medicare Part D plans authorized payment for hundreds of Subsys prescriptions written by the medical practitioners, resulting in a loss of approximately $4.5 million.

Levine pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the anti-kickback law on July 11, 2017.

Several other individuals affiliated with Insys Therapeutics have been charged and convicted in connection with the kickback scheme, including Insys Therapeutics' CEO and President, Michael Babich, and the company's founder and former Executive Chairman, John N. Kapoor.

Levine's restitution figure will be determined after additional court proceedings.

U.S. Attorney John H. Durham encouraged individuals who suspect health care fraud to report it to the authorities.

Levine was sentenced to five years of probation, including six months in home confinement, and was ordered to perform 150 hours of community service.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/drug-company-sales-rep-sentenced-role-kickback-scheme-related-fentanyl-spray