In a move that’s sending shockwaves through Kansas City, Robert Courtney – the pharmacist who admitted to diluting thousands of patients’ medications – has just been released from federal prison.
And if you think that sounds wild, wait until you hear the whole story.
Back in 2001, Courtney confessed to something absolutely horrifying: he had been diluting 72 different types of medications for almost a decade.
We’re not just talking about basic prescriptions here – these were crucial drugs meant to treat cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and arthritis. Authorities estimate his scheme affected a staggering 4,200 patients.
The Human Cost
Let’s talk about Judy Drigans, because her story will break your heart.
She was just 48 when she passed away in 2004 after receiving diluted chemotherapy drugs from Courtney.
Her husband Jeff recently spoke out about Courtney’s release, sharing the devastating reality that their grandchildren will never meet their grandmother.
“His greed was unforgivable and if I had my way, he would have remained in prison for the full 30 years until 2031,” Jeff Drigans said in an email that honestly just hits different.
Courtney, now 71, was supposed to serve 30 years after his December 2002 conviction. But plot twist – he’s now been released to either home confinement or a halfway house in Springfield (the Bureau of Prisons is keeping his exact location under wraps for “privacy concerns”).
And get this – this isn’t even the first time he tried to get out early.
In 2020, he attempted to secure an early release during the pandemic, but that request was shut down faster than your internet connection during a Zoom meeting.
While no amount of money can make up for lost lives, Courtney’s insurance company did pay $35 million to victims, and two pharmaceutical companies shelled out $71 million in settlements.
But for attorney Michael Ketchmark, who represented 275 families in wrongful death lawsuits, this release is nothing short of tragic: “Robert Courtney belongs in prison and should have served the remainder of his 30 year sentence. This is a sad day for all of his victims.”
Courtney will remain under supervision until May 2, 2026, but for many families affected by his actions, that’s cold comfort when they’re still living with the consequences of his choices every single day.