An Oakland County physician has been named in a federal indictment for his alleged role in illegally selling cancer treatment drugs.
West Bloomfield resident Naveed Aslam, MD, accused in an alleged multi-million dollar for-profit scheme which diverted expensive medications away from patients, faces 10 counts of illegally selling or trading prescription drugs and one count of conspiracy to illegally sell or trade prescription drugs.
According to the indictment, through his medical practice Somerset Hematology and Oncology, PC in Royal Oak, Aslam worked with others from 2019 to August 2023 to buy and sell the drugs for profit, intending to defraud and mislead. As stated in a news release from the Department of Justice, “The other individuals Dr. Aslam worked with identified customers interested in buying prescription cancer drugs, and they communicated with Dr. Aslam about what cancer drugs were requested.”
Azlam, 51, allegedly purchased certain cancer treatment drugs from his supplier then sold them to and through others who, in turn, sold them to another party. Aslam allegedly acquired and sold more than $17 million worth of the drugs, netting a personal profit of more than $2.5 million.
Azlam is affiliated with Corewell Health in Royal Oak and Troy, formerly Beaumont Health, according to the Corewell Health website.
“The safety and integrity of our country’s prescription drug supply lines – particularly for cancer drugs – is an important part of our healthcare system,” U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison stated in a news release. “As alleged, Dr. Aslam used his role as a physician to violate that integrity and divert prescription cancer drugs away from treating patients. My office is committed to prosecuting medical professionals who seek to profit, rather than protect, our healthcare system.”
Added Cheyvoryea Gibson, special agent in charge of the FBI in Michigan: “Having the authority to prescribe medication is a privilege that comes with a profound responsibility. Physicians must safeguard against drug diversion. Dr. Aslam’s alleged participation in this scheme not only allowed him to profit unlawfully from the sale of cancer drugs, but it also posed a serious threat by potentially placing these medications into the wrong hands. This breach of trust is inexcusable, especially considering the critical nature of the drugs involved. The FBI is unwavering in its commitment to hold medical professionals accountable for exploiting their positions for personal gain and endangering community safety.”
Prosecuting the case is Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Lievense. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Nathan of the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Unit is in charge of related forfeiture matters.
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