Monticello Live

The acquittal by a federal jury of Dr. Kelly Shrum on the main charge of felony misbranding of drugs made against him by U.S. Attorney Jane Duke, as well as the jury’s not-guilty findings on all three counts of money laundering asserted against Dr. Shrum by Ms. Duke, was welcome news for Drew County Memorial Hospital which has been well pleased with the obstetric and other medical care provided by Dr. Shrum to patients from throughout Southeast Arkansas.

There is, however, the matter of the jury’s verdict against Dr. Shrum for a misdemeanor and for billing Medicaid for Mirena IUD contraceptives manufactured in Finland by Bayer (a German corporation) by way of a Canadian pharmacy instead of from Bayer’s designated U.S. sales representative. Since this issue first arose well over a year ago, Drew Memorial’s Administration, Board and Medical Staff took the position that the issue was in the nature of a technical business dispute (being about the price charged for the Mirena IUD) and had no bearing on the quality of medical care provided by Dr. Shrum to his patients, and that position was confirmed by the State Medical Board taking no action against Dr. Shrum regarding the matter.

Drew Memorial’s administration has been advised by Dr. Shrum’s attorneys that appeals are in the process of being made regarding the misdemeanor and other jury verdict, and that they are confident in the merit of the appeals. Drew Memorial’s Administration, Board and Medical Staff will continue to closely monitor the situation and new developments as they occur. Drew County Memorial Hospital has confidence in Dr. Shrum and the high quality of obstetric and other specialized medical care he has made available on a full time basis to the people of Southeast Arkansas

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010 at 6:30 am and is filed under Medical / Hospital. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.