Pharmacy, owners to pay $775K to resolve kickback scheme allegations

SARASOTA — Vital Life Institute LLC, formerly known as AgeVital Pharmacy LLC, and owners Jenny and William Wilkins have agreed to pay at least $775,000 to resolve claims they violated the False Claims Act by engaging in an illegal kickback scheme, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's office. 

The settlement resolves allegations that Sarasota-based AgeVital, at the direction of the Wilkinses, paid kickbacks to a third-party marketing company to solicit prospective patients for compounded drug prescriptions regardless of patient need, authorities contended. The marketing company then allegedly arranged for prescribers to sign those prescriptions, which were then referred to AgeVital to be filled, the release adds. Kickbacks to the marketing entity allegedly consisted of a substantial share of the pharmacy’s Tricare and Medicare reimbursements.