http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascit ... 479020.htm

Posted on Fri, Aug. 26, 2005



Floridian admits role in plot to sell fake drugs

By MARK MORRIS
The Kansas City Star

A Miami woman pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Kansas City to conspiring to sell counterfeit and illegally imported prescription drugs.

According to federal court records, Maria Eugenia Medina Milgrom, 49, led a company that sold inactive ingredients to conspirators who manufactured bogus versions of the cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor in Central America. Milgrom’s firm, Farma International, also sold the conspirators similar ingredients needed to manufacture counterfeit Zocor, Plavix, Viagra and Bextra. Milgrom also admitted participating in the purchase of punches and dies in St. Louis that were needed to make fake prescription drugs.

Prosecutors have said that about $13 million worth of counterfeit drugs were illegally imported and sold in the United States.

The guilty plea was the latest in a two-year investigation revolving around Albers Medical Inc. of Kansas City, which bought the drugs and resold them to pharmacies across the country, according to court records.

The wholesaler has maintained its innocence, saying it had been deceived by suppliers.