Pharmacist at center of cancer drug scare was innovative

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Even as a pharmacy business student, Robert R. Courtney was looking for ways to make money -- lots of it.

When one of his college professors told him there might be profit in mixing chemotherapy drugs, he took up the tricky work and was paid handsomely by doctors. He turned out to be so successful that the professor, Ashok Gumbhir, later used his former student at the University of Missouri-Kansas City as an example of how to do things right.

"I told them, go and look at Courtney's pharmacy," Gumbhir said. "That's how pharmacists can still make a good living."

That was before the indictments.

Courtney is accused of diluting chemotherapy drugs to save hundreds of dollars per dose. Since the allegations began three weeks ago, there have been hundreds of calls from customers who fear they didn't get the right dosages.

The 48-year-old Courtney has pleaded innocent to a 20-count indictment charging that he misbranded and adulterated the drugs. According to court documents released Tuesday, investigators are also trying to determine whether he diluted two other drugs: Procrit, which produces red blood cells to counteract the effects of chemotherapy, and Tissue Plasminogen Activator, which dissolves blood clots.

Prosecutors have estimated Courtney's wealth at more than $10 million, including $8.5 million in securities and two pharmacies worth a combined $1.1 million. A federal judge has frozen most of his assets, and there are at least 25 lawsuits seeking damages on behalf of cancer patients or their families.

Ron Steen, a family friend and the music pastor at Courtney's Assemblies of God Church, Northland Cathedral, described Courtney as "fiercely devoted" to his family. Steen said Courtney has sung in the church choir, been involved in drama productions and taught Sunday school.

"He is well-known in the community, he is well-liked and well-respected," said Steen, who has known Courtney for 24 years.

Angry letters and calls

Steen was one of three people -- along with Courtney's wife and father -- who testified Aug. 20 to try to persuade a judge to allow bond. The judge refused, calling Courtney a flight risk and a danger to the community.

His family has gotten angry letters and phone calls. Through his attorney, Jean Paul Bradshaw, his family declined an interview request from The Associated Press.

Courtney married his wife, Laura, eight years ago. They've raised five children, including their seven-year-old twin boys, and Courtney's 18- and 22-year-old children from a marriage that ended in 1990.

He's stayed close to his father, Robert L. Courtney. The senior Courtney works as a bookkeeper at one of his son's pharmacies and has been running the business since his son's arrest.