Pharmacy owner sentenced for unlawful import

PITTSBURGH – A Fox Chapel pharmacy owner was sentenced to 24 months of probation for smuggling and unlawfully importing prescription drugs. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), in conjunction with several federal agencies, conducted the investigation.

Robin W. Simon, 45, must also pay $600,000 in restitution, the amount profited from the unlawful activity.

"This behavior undermines consumer trust and jeopardizes the health and security that Americans deserve," said David Abbate, assistant special agent in charge of HSI Philadelphia. "HSI is committed to investigating these crimes, working vigorously to safeguard consumer trust."

According to court documents, Simon imported the anti-cancer prescription drug Xeloda during July 2007 and September 2008. Simon then distributed the medicine to customers at the Stanton-Negley Pharmacy in Pittsburgh.

In addition to HSI, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated this case.