The Missouri pharmacist charged with diluting chemotherapy drugs will be held without bond while facing Federal felony charges of adulterating and misbranding prescription drugs. U.S. Magistrate Robert Larsen is presiding over the case in which Robert Courtney admitted that he diluted Gemzar and Taxol, two intravenous chemotherapy drugs. Federal prosecutors also believe he diluted other chemotherapy related drugs including, Paraplatin, Platinol, Neupogen, Roferon, and Procrit. Officials say Courtney also diluted TPA, a drug used to treat stroke victims.

According to prosecution documents, Courtney admitted to diluting Gemzar and Taxol to save money. He told prosecutors he limited this practice to the patients of one doctor. Courtney claims that only 30 to 35 patients received diluted drugs. Federal investigators are looking into that assertion.

Officials began investigating Courtney following reports of discrepancies from an Eli Lilly pharmaceutical sales representative. If Courtney had properly filled all of his pharmacy's prescriptions, the salesman noted, he would have had much less medication stored on site.