DEA | The Health Law Firm Blog

Doctors and Nurse Practitioner Arrested in Prescription Drug Abuse Raid

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

A crackdown on prescription drug abuse by New York law enforcement has resulted in the arrests of 98 people. Two doctors and a nurse practitioner were among those charged.

A series of raids were carried out by Brooklyn federal prosecutors, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), district attorney’s offices, and local law enforcement agencies. The raids began June 5, 2012 and resulted in the arrests.

To view the DEA’s press release concerning the raid, click here.

Both Doctors 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 […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:31-04:00June 1, 2018|Categories: DEA, The Health Law Firm Blog|Tags: controlled substances, dea, DEA emergency suspension, DEA investigation, DEA raid, doctor, drug enforcement administration, emergency suspension order, New York prescription drug abuse arrests, New York prescription drug crackdown, nurse, overprescribing, pain clinics, pain management, pharmacies, pharmacists, pharmacy, physician|Comments Off

Update: Fake DEA Agents Calling Citizens, Claiming to Have Arrest Warrant

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Health care providers beware, there is a scam making its rounds in Central Florida. Con men are telephoning citizens, including physicians, and pretending to be Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents in the hope of extorting money from them.

It’s a scam we first told you about in December 2012, but have since learned more. Click here to read my first blog on this nationwide telephone scam.

Fake DEA Agents Conning Citizens and Health Providers.

The scam starts with criminals posing as DEA agents calling victims by telephone. Frequently, just by coincidence, the victim will have purchased prescription drugs over the internet, by phone or from a foreign country. The imposters tell the victims that purchasing the drugs in this […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:44-04:00June 1, 2018|Categories: DEA, In the Know, In the News, The Health Law Firm Blog|Tags: controlled substance purchases online, DEA agents, DEA investigation, defense attorney, defense lawyer, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), drug purchases on the telephone, extortion scam, HIPAA Privacy Complaint, Office of Civil Rights (OCR), online drug purchase, pharmacies, pharmacist, pharmacy, prescription-drug scam, scam alert|6 Comments

Medical Marijuana Legalized in Connecticut: Will More Problems Develop for Doctors, Pharmacists?

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

The use of marijuana for medical reasons has been legalized in Connecticut. The state’s governor signed into law HB 5389 on May 31, 2012, which allows licensed physicians to certify a patient’s use of marijuana for medical purposes. Connecticut is the 17th state to legalize marijuana for medical use.

To view Connecticut HB 5389, click here.

Medical Marijuana Legislation in Connecticut Imposes Restrictions on Patients.

The new law outlines restrictions to prevent abuse of the substance. Patients and caregivers in Connecticut must register with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. In addition, a doctor must certify there is a medical need for marijuana to be dispensed. HB 5389’s qualifying medical conditions are cancer, glaucoma, HIV, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries causing spasticity, epilepsy, Crohn’s disease, and PTSD. The Connecticut Department […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:31-04:00June 1, 2018|Categories: DEA, In the News, The Health Law Firm Blog|Tags: Connecticut legalizes medical marijuana, dea, doctor, drug enforcement administration, medical marijuana, medical marijuana use, nurse, pharmacies, pharmacists, pharmacy, physician|Comments Off

Recent Pill Mill Bust in Florida Dubbed “Operation Pill Street Blues”

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

A statewide pill mill bust that spanned several Florida cities was announced by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Florida law enforcement on June 27, 2012. Seven doctors and seven pain clinic owners were arrested. The raid has been dubbed “Operation Pill Street Blues” by the DEA.

To view the DEA’s press release concerning the raid, click here.

Manslaughter and Trafficking Among Charges Against the Doctors and Pain Clinic Owners.

The doctors and pain clinic owners are facing a long list of charges. Some of the alleged offenses include: racketeering; conspiracy to commit racketeering; manslaughter; trafficking in a controlled substance; conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance; delivery of a controlled substance; illegally prescribing a controlled substance by […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:32-04:00June 1, 2018|Categories: DEA, The Health Law Firm Blog|Tags: controlled substances, dea, DEA emergency suspension, DEA investigation, DEA raid, doctor, drug enforcement administration, emergency suspension order, ESO, Florida prescription drug abuse, Florida prescription drug crackdown, nurse, Orlando DEA defense lawyer, overprescribing, pain clinics, pain management, pharmacies, pharmacists, pharmacy, physician, Pill Street Blues, prescription drug trafficking|1 Comment

Number of Oxycodone-Related Deaths Down in Florida

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

It looks like Florida’s prescription drug legislation, the statewide prescription drug monitoring database and the prescription drug crackdowns by law enforcement may be working, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The FDLE states in its semi-annual report, oxycodone-related deaths statewide dropped between January and June of 2012, compared to the same period of time in 2011. A look at the national numbers shows that the number of people abusing prescription drugs is also down.

Florida and National Numbers.

In the first half of 2012, there were 759 oxycodone-related deaths in Florida, according to the Orlando Sentinel. That number is down from 1,058 during the same time period a year before. The Orlando Sentinel states that nationwide 7 million people abused prescription drugs […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:47-04:00June 1, 2018|Categories: DEA, Pain Management, Pharmaceutical Drugs, Pharmacy, The Health Law Firm Blog|Tags: accidental overdose, administrative hearings, administrative law attorney, administrative law lawyer, controlled substances, defense attorney, defense lawyer, Department of Health (DOH), doctor, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Florida health care lawyer, Florida health law attorney, Florida Office of the Attorney General (AG), Florida prescription drug abuse, Florida prescription drug crackdown, legal defense for doctors, legal defense for physicians, legal representation for doctors, legal representation for physicians, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU), Medical negligence, opioid misuse, opioid use, oxycodone, pain management, pain pills, pharmacists, physician, physicians, pill mill, pill mill laws, prescription drug trafficking, prescription pain pill, prescriptions|3 Comments

Two Central Florida Physicians Connected to Statewide Pill-Mill Network

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

An Orlando and Jacksonville physician have been linked to a statewide pill-mill operation that brought in millions of dollars to pain clinic owners and doctors, according to the Orlando Sentinel. On June 27, 2012 seven doctors and seven pain clinic owners were arrested in the raid that was dubbed “Operation Pill Street Blues.” The two-year, multiagency investigation into the pill-mill operation spanned from Miami to Pensacola. The investigation included the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Florida law enforcement.

To view the DEA’s press release concerning the investigation, click here.

South Florida Firefighter Alleged Leader of Pill Mill.

Investigators named a 32-year-old Pompano Beach firefighter as the pill-mill’s ring leader. He allegedly used his image as […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:33-04:00June 1, 2018|Categories: DEA, Department of Health, In the Know, In the News, Pain Management, The Health Law Firm Blog|Tags: controlled substances, dea, DEA emergency suspension, DEA investigation, DEA raid, doctor, drug enforcement administration, emergency suspension order, ESO, Florida prescription drug abuse, Florida prescription drug crackdown, nurse, overprescribing, pain clinics, pain management, pharmacies, pharmacists, pharmacy, physician, Pill Street Blues, prescription drug trafficking, Tag words: Orlando DEA defense lawyer|Comments Off

New Details Released on Drug Enforcement Administration’s Investigation of Central Florida Pain Management Clinic

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) investigation into a Longwood, Florida, pain management clinic continues. More details are being revealed about the case. DEA agents along with local police and sheriffs’ deputies raided the pain management clinic on June 14, 2013. Agents believe the evidence they have gathered suggests the clinic was operating as a “pill mill,” according to the Orlando Sentinel. Officials allegedly seized evidence at the clinic associated with at least ten (10) doctors and other clinic employees. No one has been arrested yet, but documents filed in federal court in Orlando suggest charges could be coming.

I previously blogged about this raid. Click here to read that blog.

Details of the Investigation.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, the DEA began surveying the alleged […]

More than 30 People Charged with Pharmaceutical Drug Trafficking in Central Florida

By Dr. Thu Pham, O.D., Law Clerk, The Health Law Firm

Attorney General Pam Bondi along with special agent Mark R. Trouville of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Longwood Police Chief Troy Hickson announced, on June 20, 2012, the execution of 37 arrest warrants stemming from state drug charges. The defendants all reside in Central Florida.

Click here to read the entire press release from the Florida Attorney General.

Charges are Being Handed Down to the Defendants.

The charges for the defendants ranged from first degree to third degree felonies. The defendants have been charged with acts such as conspiracy to traffic Oxycodone, solicitation to deliver Oxycodone, and possession of Hydromorphone with intent to sell or deliver.

Law enforcement authorities have been able to apprehend 33 of the 37 charged.

Click here to see our experience […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:35-04:00June 1, 2018|Categories: DEA, In the News, Pharmaceutical Drugs, The Health Law Firm Blog|Tags: administrative law, Attorney General (AG), Central Florida, conspiracy, controlled substances, DEA investigation, DEA raid, defense attorney, defense lawyer, drug charges, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), drug trafficking, felonies, investigation, pharmaceutical, pharmacist, pharmacy, prescription drug trafficking|1 Comment

Most Physicians Not Using the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program

By Danielle M. Murray, J.D.

The Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Program is apparently collecting dust as physicians are choosing not to use it. The Tampa Bay Times reported on October 5, 2012, that as few as one in twelve doctors have ever used the database. That is about eight percent (8%) of all physicians. Approximately fourteen percent (14%) of physicians are registered for the database.

Click here to read the entire story from the Tampa Bay Times.

Physicians Don’t Want to Use the Database.

Physicians interviewed for the article said the problem is that database use is not mandatory. Physicians are not required to review the database prior to accepting a new patient, or prior to giving out a prescription. Some physicians said they would ask the pharmacy or check the local arrest […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:39-04:00June 1, 2018|Categories: DEA, Department of Health, In the News, Pain Management, Pharmaceutical Drugs, Pharmacy, The Health Law Firm Blog|Tags: board of medicine, controlled substances, criminal, dea, DEA investigation, defense attorney, defense lawyer, department of health, doctor, doh, drug enforcement administration, Florida prescription drug abuse, Florida prescription drug crackdown, nurse, overprescribing, pain management, pharmacies, pharmacist, pharmacist license, physician, pill mill, pill mill laws, prescription drug trafficking|Comments Off

New England Compounding Pharmacy Linked to Meningitis Outbreak Suspected of Violated License

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

The compounding pharmacy behind the meningitis outbreak was allegedly not following the requirements of its state license, according to the Massachusetts Department of Health (DOH) in a released statement on October 10, 2012.

To read the entire statement from the Massachusetts DOH, click here.

The New England Compounding Center (NECC) shipped more than 17,000 vials of a steroid to pain clinics in 23 states, including Florida. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now reporting 214 cases of meningitis and 15 deaths associated with the fungal infection. NECC has surrendered its license and has recalled all medications. To see a blog I previously wrote about the recall and compounding facility shutting […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:39-04:00June 1, 2018|Categories: DEA, In the Know, Pharmacy, The Health Law Firm Blog|Tags: Board of Pharmacy, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), compounding, defense attorney, defense lawyer, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) attorney, drug recall, licensing issues, meningitis, meningitis outbreak, meningitis outbreak Florida, New England Compounding Center (NECC), pharmacist, pharmacy, pharmacy attorney, pharmacy investigation, pharmacy lawyer, product recall, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)|Comments Off