dea | The Health Law Firm Blog

Florida Walgreens Pharmacies Issued Inspection Warrants by the DEA

The recent investigation of a Walgreens distribution center and six Walgreens pharmacy stores in Florida shows that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is continuing to attack pharmacies, including the largest pharmacy chains.

On Wednesday, April 4, 2012, the DEA issued inspection warrants to the Florida Walgreens distribution center and six pharmacies. According to the warrant, the DEA is investigating these Walgreens pharmacies in Florida to determine if the pharmacies are dispensing controlled substances outside the scope of their registration in violation of federal laws and regulation.

The warrant was filed in U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida and also stated that under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act, a warrant may be issued for valid public interest and without the type […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:29-04:00June 1, 2018|In the News, Pain Management, Pharmacy, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Doctor Sentenced to Almost 27 Years in Prison for Pill Mill Charges

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

A doctor was sentenced to almost 27 years in prison on July 24, 2013, according to the Sun Sentinel. The former doctor, Sergio Rodriguez, had worked as a pediatrician at Children Plus Health Center near Palm Beach County, Florida. He was charged with operating a pill mill out of his office. He pleaded guilty to four counts of manslaughter, four counts of conspiracy to traffic oxycodone, one count of racketeering and one count of money laundering.

Click here to read the entire Sun Sentinel article.

Doctor Prescribed Pain Pills to Undercover Detectives.

Dr. Rodriguez is accused […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:51-04:00June 1, 2018|Board of Medicine, Civil Forfeiture, Pain Management, The Health Law Firm Blog|

College Student Drinks Own Urine to Survive After DEA Forgets He Was in Cell

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

A college student was left in a small holding cell by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for five days without food, water, or a toilet. He believes that the DEA forgot about him. He was taken by agents during a late April 2012 drug raid on his friend’s house in which nine people were arrested.

Student Drinks Own Urine to Survive After Being Abandoned by the DEA.

According to a law enforcement official who has reviewed this case, the student was never arrested, was not going to be charged with a crime and should have been released.

Instead, he was left handcuffed and placed back in a […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:30-04:00June 1, 2018|In the News, The Health Law Firm Blog|

DEA Has Online List of Cases Against Doctors

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 (DEA) has a public list of physicians with DEA registrations that have been arrested and prosecuted. On the DEA’s website, there is a list of all investigations of physician registrants in which the DEA was involved that resulted in the arrest and prosecution of the registrant which was updated and released on April 3, 2012.

The list includes:
• The name of the physician;
• The physician’s city/state;
• Date of arrest/conviction;
• Judicial status;
• Conviction;
• Status of the physician’s DEA registration; and
• Remarks regarding the physician’s case.

Click here to view a copy of the most recent list (last updated on April 3, 2012).

We cannot […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:30-04:00June 1, 2018|DEA, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Cardinal Health’s Settlement With the DEA Results in Shipment Suspension

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

Cardinal Health and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have reached a settlement which will suspend Cardinal Health’s ability to ship controlled substances from its Florida distribution facility for two years. The company will now supply controlled substances from its distribution center in Jackson, Mississippi.

Cardinal Health’s Settlement Does Not Prevent the DEA from Pursuing Civil Penalties.

The settlement was announced on May 15, 2012. It includes an Administrative Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), the terms of which will apply to all of Cardinal Health’s registered distribution facilities. The MOA will not prevent Cardinal Health from possible civil penalties related to the DEA’s case against the pharmaceutical distributor.

The […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:30-04:00June 1, 2018|DEA, The Health Law Firm Blog|

DEA’s Medical Marijuana Research Ban Appealed by Professor

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

A University of Massachusetts-Amherst professor is appealing a final order issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that has stopped him from growing marijuana for medical research purposes.

Appeals Court Hears Oral Arguments in Medical Marijuana Research Case.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit heard oral arguments in the case on May 11, 2012. During the hearing the DEA attempted to get the case thrown out by claiming that the court has no jurisdiction over the issue. The court’s ruling should come in about three months.

To hear the oral arguments presented in this case, click here.

DEA’s Final Order […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:31-04:00June 1, 2018|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 […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:31-04:00June 1, 2018|DEA, The Health Law Firm Blog|

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 […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:31-04:00June 1, 2018|DEA, In the News, The Health Law Firm Blog|

The DEA’s War on Pain Management

Within the last few years, raids on pain management clinics, as well as pharmacies, have been increasingly commonplace. The doctors, pharmacists, nurses and other health care professionals involved are carted away in handcuffs and must defend their practice.

According to the St. Petersburg Times, a South Florida pain management clinic has recently been shut down under emergency action by the Florida Department of Health (DOH). Several health care professionals at the clinic were arrested, their licenses revoked.

In this instance, the charges against these health care employees are not completely unwarranted. Patients confessed to authorities that members of […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:25-04:00June 1, 2018|In the News, Pain Management, Pharmacy, The Health Law Firm Blog|

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 […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:32-04:00June 1, 2018|DEA, The Health Law Firm Blog|