Boston, MA (WBEN/AP) The wealthy founder of a drug company has been convicted of scheming to bribe doctors across the country to prescribe a highly addictive fentanyl spray. His name adorns the building for UB's School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
A jury found Insys Therapeutics Founder and former CEO John Kapoor guilty of racketeering conspiracy on Thursday after 15 days of deliberations. Four other former employees of the Chandler, Arizona-based company were also convicted.
Prosecutors said Kapoor and the others conspired to bribe doctors to boost sales for the opioid meant for cancer patients with severe pain. An attorney for Kapoor sought to shift blame onto the company's former vice president of sales, who pleaded guilty in November.
UB issued this statement following Kapoor's conviction:
“The university is aware of Dr. Kapoor’s conviction in federal court today. The leadership of UB is currently reviewing and discussing the impact under UB and SUNY policies pertaining to university namings. The university recognizes the seriousness of this matter and is giving it very careful consideration. The illegal and unethical activities brought to light during the trial are in stark contrast to UB’s core values and our mission to improve lives, strengthen communities and positively change the world.”
UB says the building that is home to UB’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences bears the name of John Kapoor and his deceased wife in recognition of their long-time philanthropic support of the school and the university. UB says university policy allows for modification of a naming if a future action or event occurs that will cause irreparable injury to the university’s image, reputation, or ability to pursue its mission or if the donor does not fulfill his/her gift commitment at the completion of the agreed-upon payment period. Under this policy, the “unnaming” of a building follows the same process used for a naming: recommendation by UB’s vice president for university advancement, followed by presidential and UB Council approval, followed by review and approval by the SUNY chancellor and a final decision by the SUNY Board of Trustees. UB says there is no timetable on any decision, but expects a decision in a timely manner.
The others charged in the case have also denied wrongdoing.
Two other high-level executives, who pleaded guilty in the case, testified against Kapoor.