Health officials at a small town in Tennessee are investigating whether the town’s gas station owner, James Gagnon, may have taken Nexium, a prescription painkiller that has been linked to heartburn.
Officials with the Tennessee Medical Association said they haven’t heard back from Gagnon since the two men were indicted in March for using a prescription drug that caused heartburn and other stomach ailments.
The Tennessee man was charged Wednesday with four counts of trafficking drugs, one count of embezzlement and one count of trafficking and money laundering, prosecutors said.
The indictment, made in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, also alleges Gagnon and his supplier, John Gagnon, were involved in the embezzlement and trafficking. The state’s attorney’s office has said the defendant was not involved in the embezzlement but, instead, took a drug called Pepcid without disclosing the name.
Gagnon’s case was first prosecuted in 2009, and Gagnon has been serving a 20-year sentence for embezzlement and trafficking.
According to prosecutors, Gagnon and his supplier allegedly used Nexium to treat stomach and esophagus problems and to prevent others from using the medication.
Gagnon allegedly stole Nexium from his local gas station in Tennessee and shipped the pills to Gagnon’s store, where they were packaged and delivered to the Gagnon store, prosecutors said.
According to court records, Gagnon allegedly sold the pills to Gagnon’s former customers in the mail in return for cash. He also sold the pills to Gagnon’s customers in return for money, prosecutors said.
Gagnon allegedly had an agreement with the customers to buy the pills at his store and to pay for the money. In return for paying for the money, Gagnon allegedly sold the pills to Gagnon’s former customers in return for cash. Gagnon allegedly sold the pills to Gagnon’s former customers in return for money.
In court Wednesday, Gagnon’s attorney, Paul M. Sheppard, told the state’s attorney’s office that she was not involved in the embezzlement and trafficking charges.
He said the indictment against Gagnon also alleges that Gagnon knew of the embezzlement and trafficking charges and that he knew of the embezzlement and trafficking charges and that he knew of the embezzlement and trafficking charges.
The state’s attorney’s office said the state has not spoken with Gagnon’s former customers since he became involved in the investigation.
The Tennessee man also said that the state’s attorney’s office is investigating whether Gagnon may have been involved in the embezzlement and trafficking charges.
The investigation will take place in the state’s interest, said state attorney general Bill DeWine. The investigation will also involve the investigation of other people who allegedly took part in the investigation.
The investigation into Gagnon’s embezzlement and trafficking is being handled by the Tennessee Medical Association, DeWine said.
“It’s a good opportunity to share the investigation and bring more attention to the situation,” DeWine said. “It’s an opportunity to get a better understanding of the investigation and to help improve the situation.”
The investigation will be conducted by the Tennessee Medical Association and the Tennessee Department of Health.
The investigation is led by the Medical Association of Tennessee and the Tennessee Medical Association.
https://t.co/9Qd8R6GxA3 https://t.co/NxhNkGx1n4q — Johns Hopkins University Medical CenterTo report new or relevant charges, contact the National Center for Policy Alternatives at 877-660-6285.
Citation: Tennessee authorities seize drug from Gagnon, Embezzlement and trafficking (2014, June 19) retrieved 26 May 2025 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-06-tesan-police- seize-drugs-from-gagnon-embezzlement-drug.html
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General Product DescriptionNexium 24HR Once Daily Dosing Tablets provide lasting relief from frequent heartburn and acid reflux. They providelasting symptomatic relief of frequent heartburn, acid regurgitation and other symptoms associated with gastro-oesophageal reflux.
Key Features
Directions For UseAdults 18 years of age and over:Take 1 tablet daily for at least 7 days and up to 14 days. Swallow the tablet whole with water, with or without food. Do not crush or chew the tablet. Do not take for more than 14 days unless drected byt a doctor.Not intended for immediate relief. It may take a few days to achieve maximum results.
WarningsAlways read and follow the directions before use. If symptoms persist, disconinue use and consult your healthcare professional. Keep out of reach of children. Do not use if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or under the age of 18.
IngredientsEach tablet contains: Esomeprazole 20mg (as Magnesium Trihydrate).
unnabStore between 20 and 25°C (59 and 86°F). When using beyond 40°C (77°F), DO NOTbsp, as it takes up to 7 days to present a delayed start. Also store out of reach of children. Do not use in the eyes, mucous membranes or other contents of the mouth.
Features
Swallow the tablet whole with water, with eatenattention refrain from eating or drinking while taking this tablet.
When using
of any type, including children under 18 years of age, the tablet can be taken preferably at least two hours before or after taking any proton pump inhibitor (PPI) like omeprazole, esomeprazole or pantoprazole.
When taking
for optimal results, it is crucial to only take tablet once a day. Avoid taking it more than once a day, as it may increase absorption of the drug and increase the risk of side effects. Additionally, it may be beneficial to take the tablet once daily with a gastro-intestinal symptom-stabilizer (like omeprazole or esomeprazole) to help prevent over-the-counter esomeprazole tablets becoming lodged in the body's tissues and causing adverse reactions.
Unless a doctor has told you to, do not exceed the recommended dosage. For example, you may take a tablet twice a day for 14 days, or a doctor will assess your symptoms and dosage, to ensure that you are fully cured.
IE7 you must be in the United States to see the EULIDE. Avoid illegal suppliers in the United States.
Do not use if the skin is not see if it gets more sensitive or shows signs of irritation.
Last updated 6:00 June 2023.
AstraZeneca
PANSA, Ireland, October 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- AstraZeneca (Nasdaq: AZN) (NYSE: AZN), a leading global specialty pharmaceutical company, announced today that it has received a Specialty Grant from the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) (referred to as the "USA Grant") to expand its research and development program for Nexium (esomeprazole) and its related medications. The USA Grant will provide this important grant to AstraZeneca.
The USA Grant is administered by the FDA under the Hatch-Waxman Act. This specialty grant program is designed to enable the Company to continue to advance its product and market strategy for Nexium. The USA Grant provides the Company with an additional six months of special educational and promotional opportunities, and provides the Company with an opportunity to develop and expand its product portfolio, in addition to its current core program. The USA Grant also enables the Company to develop a new generic version of Nexium, which is expected to be introduced by the end of 2015.
"We are excited to expand our research capabilities in the USA Grant program," said Dr. Sarah O'Hara, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of AstraZeneca. "It is our hope that this program will expand the Company's pipeline for Nexium in a way that will benefit patients and their families and further support our overall strategy to create new drugs to treat chronic conditions."
The USA Grant is designed to support the Company's research and development efforts and allow the Company to continue to expand its pipeline of innovative drugs. In addition, this grant provides AstraZeneca with an additional six months of special educational and promotional opportunities, and provides the Company with an opportunity to develop and expand its product portfolio, in addition to its current core program. The USA Grant will also help AstraZeneca obtain additional government funding for its new generic products, such as Nexium. The USA Grant will further assist AstraZeneca in acquiring these generic products.
This Specialty Grant will enable the Company to continue to advance its product and market strategy for Nexium. The USA Grant will provide the Company with an additional six months of special educational and promotional opportunities, and provides the Company with an opportunity to develop and expand its product portfolio, in addition to its current core program. The USA Grant will assist AstraZeneca in acquiring these generic products.
About Nexium
Nexium, which is the brand name of Esomeprazole (esomeprazole), is a prescription drug that was originally developed as an anti-acid (acid), anti-diarrheal, and anti-diabetic drug. It was approved in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers.
This prescription drug was approved by the FDA in 1993 as a proton pump inhibitor for the treatment of the common cold, flu, the common cold, and other viral infections. Nexium has also been used in combination with other anti-diabetic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Nexium is currently the second-best-selling prescription drug in the United States, behind Merck's Z-Pack, and Eli Lilly's Z-Pak.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a biopharmaceutical company committed to developing, manufacturing, and marketing a broad range of innovative and premium pharmaceutical products. AstraZeneca is in the early stages of its research and development program, and has a pipeline of pipeline molecules that could provide significant commercial value for AstraZeneca. In addition to AstraZeneca, AstraZeneca is also a key partner in the development and commercialization of novel pharmaceutical products that are uniquely developed and patented. This pipeline includes several key molecules for which AstraZeneca is currently marketing, including novel formulations of anti-diabetic agents and anti-inflammatory drugs, new vaccines, and novel antiepileptic and analgesic agents. Additional important products will be developed in the pipeline, and the Company is actively working to develop these products and achieve commercial success.
SOURCE AstraZeneca
For a list of press releases, please visit: http://www.astrazenecapsubmitive.
Details
Nexium Control provides a course of treatment for relieving symptoms of heartburn, indigestion, and acid reflux. Each pack contains 7 tablets intended for short-term use. These tablets work by reducing stomach acid production, thereby managing discomfort associated with digestive acid-related conditions. It's important to follow the instructions provided for optimal results. GlaxoSmithKline (UK) Trading Limited GSK Consumer Healthcare (IE) Ltd., 980 Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9GS, U. K. Or: 12 Riverwalk, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24, Ireland.
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Ingredients
Ingredients: Each Gastro-Resistant Tablet contains 20 mg Esomeprazole (as Magnesium Trihydrate). Contains sucrose. See package leaflet for further information. As we are always looking to improve our products, our formulations change from time to time, so please always check the packaging before use.
Directions
Directions for use: Take one tablet once a day. Do not exceed this dose. The tablets should be swallowed whole. Do not chew or crush the tablets. May take 2-3 days for full effect. If your symptoms worsen or do not improve after taking this medicine for 14 days in a row, contact your doctor. Read the package leaflet before use. Oral use. Storage recommendation: Do not store above 30°C. Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture. Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
� PONNETUS CERVICILLIN FOR HUMANSshowForm of medicineIngredients: Esomeprazole (as Magnesium Trihydrate), sodiumpound� (as sucrose) tablet: (as sucrose) contains as sucrose. See package leaflet. It is absorbed rapidly and the colourfast solution is stable for up to 24 hours.
Active ingredient: Esomeprazole (as Magnesium Trihydrate). It is a proton pump inhibitor. Do not use if you have severe heart failure or liver disease. It works by opening the stomach to contents of the stomach such that acid production is reduced. It also reduces stomach acid production, which can lead to nausea, stomach pain, and vomiting. It is used to treat reflux with acid reflux treatment in adults and the elderly.
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