Board of Pharmacy defense attorney | The Health Law Firm Blog

When the DEA Comes Knocking: 15 Tips If You Find Yourself Facing a “Routine” DEA Inspection

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

As the United States continues to open back up from the COVID-19 shutdown, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is resuming on-site routine inspections. Therefore, healthcare professionals must ensure compliance and regulatory efforts are in place.

This is part 1 of a 2-part blog series. Check back for part 2 of this blog series soon!

DEA Inspections and Site Visits: Subpoenas.

DEA agents are often pushy, demanding, and intimidating. They will try to use subpoenas (which are merely requests for documents that afford you at least ten days to produce the requested documents) as search warrants. THEY […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-19T20:00:14-04:00March 21, 2024|Health Facilities Law Blog|

What You Need to Know Right Now If the DEA is Knocking on Your Door!

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

Is the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) knocking at your door or, even worse, going through your files inside your office?

If so, this is what you need to know right now!

YES, you do have the right to call your attorney. Call your attorney right now. If you cannot, ask one of your employees or spouse to call your attorney. Get your attorney involved right now!

NO, do not sign a document to relinquish or voluntarily give up your DEA registration number. If you do so, this will probably be the biggest mistake you make in […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T20:00:41-04:00March 16, 2024|Medical Education Law Blog, Nursing Law Blog|

Is the DEA Knocking on Your Door? What You Need to Know Right Now!

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

Is the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) knocking at your door or, even worse, going through your files inside your office?

This is what you need to know right now!

YES, you do have the right to call your attorney. Call your attorney right now. If you cannot, ask one of your employees or spouse to call your attorney. Get your attorney involved right now!

NO, do not sign a document to relinquish or voluntarily give up your DEA registration number. If you do so, this will probably be the biggest mistake you make of your life.

NO, […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:11-04:00March 2, 2024|Pharmacy Law Blog|

When the DEA Comes Knocking: 15 Tips For a “Routine” DEA Inspection

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

As the United States continues to open back up from the COVID-19 shutdown, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is resuming on-site routine inspections. Therefore, healthcare professionals must ensure compliance and regulatory efforts are in place.

This is part 1 of a 2-part blog series. Check back for part 2 of this blog series soon!

DEA Inspections and Site Visits: Subpoenas.

DEA agents are often pushy, demanding, and intimidating. They will try to use subpoenas (which are merely requests for documents that afford you at least ten days to produce the requested documents) as search warrants. THEY ARE NOT. They will […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:11-04:00February 22, 2024|Pharmacy Law Blog|

From the archives: Supreme Court Explores Doctor Intent in “Pill Mill” Criminal Prosecutions Under the Controlled Substances Act

Previously published on June 24, 2022
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Physicians and other healthcare professionals usually have broad scope to prescribe most drugs, including potentially dangerous ones. However, over the past decade, many limits, often imposed arbitrarily through criminal prosecutions or drastic administrative sanctions, have been used to impose limits.

The question was recently put before the U.S. Supreme Court as to how far a physician’s judgment can be allowed to go in the context of prescribing controlled substances before it becomes criminal. This was in the context of criminal prosecution of a physician for allegedly over-prescribing.

On […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:20-04:00September 18, 2023|Pharmacy Law Blog|

Walmart Increases Pay For Thousands of Pharmacists and Opticians

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

On May 31, 2023, Walmart announced it is raising wages for 7,700 U.S. pharmacists and opticians in a nationwide plan to expand healthcare services. The retailer said about 3,700 pharmacists would get a bump in pay, bringing their total average pay to more than $140,000 annually. Additionally, more than 4,000 opticians will receive pay raises, with their average hourly pay rising to more than $22.50. The company also said it plans to start a program in which associates who […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:24-04:00July 20, 2023|Health Facilities Law Blog|

Walmart Announces Pay Raise For Thousands of Pharmacists and Opticians

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

On May 31, 2023, Walmart announced it is raising wages for 7,700 U.S. pharmacists and opticians in a nationwide plan to expand healthcare services. The retailer said about 3,700 pharmacists would get a bump in pay, bringing their total average pay to more than $140,000 annually. Additionally, more than 4,000 opticians will receive pay raises, with their average hourly pay rising to more than $22.50. The company also said it plans to start a program in which associates who […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:29-04:00June 8, 2023|Pharmacy Law Blog|

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Agents May Surprise You at Florida Board of Pharmacy Meeting

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

At several recent Florida Board meetings, after hearings at which disciplinary cases were considered by the Board, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents approached the health professional. Even in instances where the pharmacist was represented by an attorney and the attorney was there, the DEA agents confronted the professional involved.

What Were the DEA Agents Trying to Do?

In the cases where The Health Law Firm’s attorneys were there representing clients, the professional received some type of discipline on his or her license. Some of these were Settlement Agreements. The DEA Agent approached the professional and urged […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:42-04:00May 15, 2018|Pharmacy Law Blog|