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FORMER VA DOCTOR ADMITS POOR RECORD-KEEPING

IN DRUG TRIAL SCANDAL -- Admits forging medical

records for more than three years to make dozens

of patients eligible to participate in drug studies.

 

 

Background here...
http://www.vawatchdog.org/nfDEC06/nf120606-3.htm

Story here... http://www.newsday.com/news/
local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--drugtrials-convic042
apr24,0,7738019.story?coll=ny-region-apnewyork

Story below:

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Former VA doctor admits poor record-keeping in drug trial scandal

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ The former oncology chief at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Albany pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to a misdemeanor for failing to keep accurate case histories on patients in drug studies.

Dr. James A. Holland, 49, who now resides in Thomasville, Ga., was principal investigator in the studies, prosecutors said.

As head of the oncology program at the Stratton VA Medical Center, he directed its research program, which included cancer treatment studies sponsored by drug companies.

Holland could face up to one year in prison and a fine of $100,000 at sentencing Sept. 28.

A former researcher under Holland's supervision, Paul Kornak, was sentenced in 2005 to 71 months in prison for criminally negligent homicide in the death of an Air Force veteran enrolled in a drug experiment.

Kornak admitted forging medical records at Stratton for more than three years to make dozens of patients eligible to participate in drug studies.

He had also pleaded guilty to mail fraud and making a false statement.

The criminally negligent homicide charge stemmed from the death of 71-year-old James DiGeorgio in May 2001, who died a few weeks after participating in a drug-research program for stomach cancer.

The 2003 indictment said Stratton earned thousands of dollars for each patient enrolled in drug trials in which drug companies test novel drugs on cancer patients, a necessary step in trying to get government approval of the drugs.

Stratton officials say the institution strengthened its hiring methods, research practices and oversight activities after Kornak's arrest.

They initiated investigations in 2002 after noticing irregularities in the program.

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Larry Scott  --