Richard E. Bohner, vice president of operations for Synthes, pleaded guilty to charges that he shipped misbranded Norian XR across state lines, according to the report. He faces a year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
Four Synthes executives were indicted on charges they encouraged unauthorized trials of Norian XR for vertebroplasty, a procedure that is not an approved use for the cement. Three other executives, Michael Higgins, John Walsh and Thomas Higgins pleaded guilty to charges in July.
The Norian unit of Synthes, which made the bone cement, faces 52 felony counts, including seven counts of making false statements in connection with a U.S. Food and Drug Administration inspection.
Read the Inquirer’s report about the fourth Synthes executive pleading guilty in the Norian XR case.
