TGIMay: The Tipline for 1 May 2020

Some cartels appear more unethical than others. Not to knock the packaged tuna cartel, the auto parts cartel or the optical disc drive cartel, but they don’t seem to come close to a cartel for cancer treatments in terms of societal harm. The Department of Justice’s antitrust division revealed on Thursday a criminal charge against a Florida oncology clinic accused of allocating markets for chemotherapy and radiation therapy treatments. As part of a deferred prosecution agreement, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute will pay a $100 million criminal fine, cooperate with the DOJ’s ongoing investigation and initiate a compliance programme. Apparently not included: an apology. “We are pleased to be resolving these past issues so we can continue to focus on providing our patients with world-class cancer care in community-based settings, close to home,” the clinic said in a statement.