PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A Rhode Island couple has filed suit over a drug company’s alleged kickback scheme encouraging doctors to push a highly addictive opioid spray.
The Providence Journal reports that Woonsocket residents Lisa and Angelo Mencucci are suing Arizona-based Insys Therapeutics Inc. and Jerrold Rosenberg, a North Providence doctor.
Rosenberg is awaiting sentencing for taking money to unnecessarily prescribe the fentanyl spray Subsys, which is meant for cancer patients with otherwise unmanageable pain.
Former Insys CEO Michael Babich and other former executives have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial in Massachusetts.
The company has said it has taken steps to avoid repeating past mistakes.
The suit seeks unspecified damages for emotional pain and permanent damage to Lisa Mencucci’s nervous system.
Rosenberg’s attorney said he had not seen the suit.
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