US seeks prison for Pa. execs over medical trials

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Four pharmaceutical executives from Pennsylvania may learn Tuesday if they’ll go to prison for medical-product testing that left three spine patients dead on the operating table.

The former Synthes Inc. officials have pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor involving the off-label use of a bone-cement product.

The government accuses them of human experimentation. The defendants deny any intent to violate U.S. Food and Drug Administration protocols.

They would be the first “responsible corporate officers” sent to prison under the 1975 “Park Doctrine.”

The sentencing before U.S. District Judge Legrome Davis resumes Tuesday. Defense lawyers spent today raising objections to a government pre-sentencing report.

West Chester-based Synthes and a subsidiary, Norian Corp., separately pleaded guilty to a felony and 110 misdemeanors, and agreed to pay $23 million in fines.