Police arrested John Kapoor — the founder and former CEO of Insys Therapeutics — in Phoenix Thursday on charges of racketeering, conspiracy and fraud related to an alleged scheme to promote the over-prescription of the company's fentanyl-based painkiller Subsys, according to a report from CBS News.
Subsys is an extremely potent opioid only approved to treat breakthrough cancer pain. Authorities allege the company marketed the opioid in such a way as to encourage prescription for inappropriate use. The company also allegedly bribed numerous physicians to push the extremely potent and addictive medication.
"[Mr. Kapoor] is innocent of these charges and intends to fight the charges vigorously," said Brian Kelly, an attorney for Mr. Kapoor, according to CBS News.
In December 2016, six Insys executives were arrested for allegedly conspiring to bribe physicians to unnecessarily prescribe the fentanyl-based medication. Mr. Kapoor stepped down from his position as CEO in January, but remains on the company's board.
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