By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
A New York law enforcement crackdown on prescription drug abuse has resulted in the arrests of 98 people. Among those charged are two doctors and a nurse practitioner.
Brooklyn federal prosecutors joined with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), district attorney's offices, and local law enforcement agencies, to carry out a series of raids that began June 5, 2012 and resulted in the arrests.
To view the DEA's press release concerning the raid, click here.
Doctors Involved in Crackdown Accused of Overprescribing.
One of the doctors is accused of conspiring to distribute oxycodone to patients that were not legitimate. Allegedly, the doctor surrendered his DEA registration. This terminated his authority to prescribe controlled substances such as oxycodone. However, he allegedly attempted to use other health care practitioners to continue to prescribe drugs, which the government contends is illegal.
Another doctor involved in the crackdown is charged with illegal distribution of oxycodone. During the execution of a federal search warrant at his offices on March 1, 2012, the doctor voluntarily surrendered his DEA registration. However, he allegedly continued to issue prescriptions to those whom he knew were not legitimate patients.
We continually warn against "voluntarily relinquishing" DEA registrations or medical licenses with any investigation pending as this is treated the same as a revocation in most cases. For an article we have written on this, click here.
Florida Has Recently Experienced Similar Prescription Drug Abuse Crackdowns.
Starting around two years ago, Florida health providers involved in narcotics precribing became routine targets for law enforcement. This was part of a concerted effort by state and federal officials to crackdown on "pill mill" operations. Regulations increased. Lawmakers enacted severe penalties for doctors and other health professionals accused of over-prescribing. Most physicians were banned from dispensing drugs in their offices. The governor created a Florida drug "strike force" with a mission to eliminate any pain clinics that were found to be breaking the law. The Florida Surgeon General and the Board of Medicine made announcements about the "crackdown" on "over-prescribing."
Since the implementation of the new pain management and prescribing laws, the Florida strike force has made thousands of arrests and seized millions of pills of narcotics. This has resulted in serious concerns by those in the pain management profession.
Law Enforcement Continues to Pursue Physicians, Pharmacists, Nurses and Other Health Providers.
The recent raid in New York and ongoing actions in Florida demonstrate that law enforcement will continue to pursue health professionals who prescribe large amounts of narcotics.
Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced with DEA Cases and Overprescribing Allegations.
The Health Law Firm represents pharmacists, pharmacies, physicians, nurses and other health providers in investigations, regulatory matters, licensing issues, litigation, inspections and audits involving the DEA, Department of Health (DOH) and other law enforcement agencies. Its attorneys include those who are board certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law as well as licensed health professionals who are also attorneys.
To contact The Health Law Firm, please call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001 and visit our website at http://www.thehealthlawfirm.com/.
Sources Include:
Allen, Jonathon. "Doctors Arrested in New York Prescription Drug Crackdown." Reuters. (June 7, 2012). From
http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/06/06/usa-crime-painkillers-idINL1E8H6E3J20120606
CBS News. "98 Arrested in NY Prescription Drug Sweep." CBS News. (June 6, 2012). From
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57448268/dozens-arrested-in-ny-prescription-drug-bust/
McKenzie-Mulvey, Erin. "U.S. Attorney Lynch, District Attorneys, DEA, Other Law Enforcement Announce Prescription Drug Initiative." Drug Enforcement Administration. (June 7, 2012). Press Release. From:
http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/2012/nyc060712a.html
About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. http://www.thehealthlawfirm.com/ The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.
A New York law enforcement crackdown on prescription drug abuse has resulted in the arrests of 98 people. Among those charged are two doctors and a nurse practitioner.
Brooklyn federal prosecutors joined with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), district attorney's offices, and local law enforcement agencies, to carry out a series of raids that began June 5, 2012 and resulted in the arrests.
To view the DEA's press release concerning the raid, click here.
Doctors Involved in Crackdown Accused of Overprescribing.
One of the doctors is accused of conspiring to distribute oxycodone to patients that were not legitimate. Allegedly, the doctor surrendered his DEA registration. This terminated his authority to prescribe controlled substances such as oxycodone. However, he allegedly attempted to use other health care practitioners to continue to prescribe drugs, which the government contends is illegal.
Another doctor involved in the crackdown is charged with illegal distribution of oxycodone. During the execution of a federal search warrant at his offices on March 1, 2012, the doctor voluntarily surrendered his DEA registration. However, he allegedly continued to issue prescriptions to those whom he knew were not legitimate patients.
We continually warn against "voluntarily relinquishing" DEA registrations or medical licenses with any investigation pending as this is treated the same as a revocation in most cases. For an article we have written on this, click here.
Florida Has Recently Experienced Similar Prescription Drug Abuse Crackdowns.
Starting around two years ago, Florida health providers involved in narcotics precribing became routine targets for law enforcement. This was part of a concerted effort by state and federal officials to crackdown on "pill mill" operations. Regulations increased. Lawmakers enacted severe penalties for doctors and other health professionals accused of over-prescribing. Most physicians were banned from dispensing drugs in their offices. The governor created a Florida drug "strike force" with a mission to eliminate any pain clinics that were found to be breaking the law. The Florida Surgeon General and the Board of Medicine made announcements about the "crackdown" on "over-prescribing."
Since the implementation of the new pain management and prescribing laws, the Florida strike force has made thousands of arrests and seized millions of pills of narcotics. This has resulted in serious concerns by those in the pain management profession.
Law Enforcement Continues to Pursue Physicians, Pharmacists, Nurses and Other Health Providers.
The recent raid in New York and ongoing actions in Florida demonstrate that law enforcement will continue to pursue health professionals who prescribe large amounts of narcotics.
Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced with DEA Cases and Overprescribing Allegations.
The Health Law Firm represents pharmacists, pharmacies, physicians, nurses and other health providers in investigations, regulatory matters, licensing issues, litigation, inspections and audits involving the DEA, Department of Health (DOH) and other law enforcement agencies. Its attorneys include those who are board certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law as well as licensed health professionals who are also attorneys.
To contact The Health Law Firm, please call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001 and visit our website at http://www.thehealthlawfirm.com/.
Sources Include:
Allen, Jonathon. "Doctors Arrested in New York Prescription Drug Crackdown." Reuters. (June 7, 2012). From
http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/06/06/usa-crime-painkillers-idINL1E8H6E3J20120606
CBS News. "98 Arrested in NY Prescription Drug Sweep." CBS News. (June 6, 2012). From
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57448268/dozens-arrested-in-ny-prescription-drug-bust/
McKenzie-Mulvey, Erin. "U.S. Attorney Lynch, District Attorneys, DEA, Other Law Enforcement Announce Prescription Drug Initiative." Drug Enforcement Administration. (June 7, 2012). Press Release. From:
http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/2012/nyc060712a.html
About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. http://www.thehealthlawfirm.com/ The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.
