MESSINA - The names of the three Sicilian doctors investigated in the Nas investigation into the alleged complicity between doctors and scientific informants of Sandoz appear. We are talking about the endochronologist from Palermo, Francesco Saverio Indovina, Director of the Endocrinology Unit at the Ospedali Riuniti `Villa Sofia – Cervello” in Palermo, and the Messina nephrologists Guido Bellinghieri and Vincenzo Savica.
The investigation, launched by the public prosecutors of Bologna and Busto Arsizio, launched with the "Do ut des" operation, would have brought to light the turnover that existed between informants of Sandoz, a pharmaceutical company, and doctors working in public hospitals and private citizens of most of Italy. 67 health professionals and 12 scientific whistleblowers were investigated. According to the indictment, the former received over two thousand euros for each patient to whom they prescribed specific drugs, in many cases overdosed hormones that were taken as children. Besides money, there was more for the complacent in white coats. On the pages of the ordinance, there is talk of undeclared salaries and false attestations of participation in congresses in New York, Tokyo, London, to justify absences from the department. And then clothes, computers, travel. All this behind the prescription of expensive drugs, such as Omnitrope, a growth hormone with the active ingredient of Somatropin, and Binocrit, a drug that increases the production of red blood cells. Both used as anabolics and considered doping substances.
But Sandoz does not appear to be complicit in these "dangerous prescriptions". He knew but disputed. In fact, as evidenced by the documents, he allegedly initiated disciplinary measures against his scientific informants. Some letters sent to the latter demonstrate the line of rigor undertaken by the company. Here, among many, the one sent to one of the pharmaceutical representatives by Sandoz, the one that, for the prosecution, would nail Professor Indovina. The endocrinologist would have had: "as consideration for the inclusion of two new patients in therapy with Omnitrope, the provision for the payment of expenses to be incurred for a trip and stay in London with his wife for participation in a conference (held between November 30 and December 2, 2009). Although Dr. Indovina did not actually participate in this conference, you (together with the aforementioned Sandoz employees) also ensured that Dr. Indovina was provided, also through the Agenzia Ambrosini, a false certificate of attendance at the conference itself". This letter, among many others seized by the Nas, is the basis of the prosecution's thesis. Guido Bellinghieri and Vincenzo Savica, both nephrologists, respectively at the Policlinico and at the Papardo of Messina, are accused, together with the professor at the University of Naples, Gaspare De Santo, of having pocketed 18 thousand euros to organize congresses. Amount obtained as a reward for the prescription of a Sandoz "recommended" drug for 40" patients.
Last modified: October 22nd at 21:57 – by Patrizia Vita
