German pharmacist gets 12 years for diluting cancer drugs

A court in western Germany has sentenced a pharmacist to 12 years in prison for diluting cancer drugs on a massive scale in order to finance his luxury lifestyle.

In its ruling today, the Essen regional court said defendant Peter S had manipulated at least 14,000 drugs, the quality of which was "not insignificantly" diminished.

The offenses took place in nearby Bottrop between 2012 and 2016.

Prosecutors accused the 48-year-old, whose surname wasn't provided for privacy reasons, of harming at least 27 patients, although earlier estimates put the number far higher.

The defendant allegedly obtained more than 50 million euros ($58 million) through the fraud, and used the money to build a villa with a large water slide.

 

He was arrested in November 2016 after pharmacy staff blew the whistle.