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Florida Pharmacist Gets More Than Six Years in Prison For Role in Compounding Fraud Scheme

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

On November 29, 2018, a Florida pharmacist was sentenced to six and a half years in prison and ordered to pay $3.4 million, for her role in a scheme to defraud the government. Marjorie Robinson pled guilty one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud for submitting fraudulent claims to Tricare, Medicare and private insurance programs for compounded creams that were not necessary.

The Fraud Scheme.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Robinson was one of three owners of ASC Pharmacy Inc., a now defunct compounding pharmacy in Miami. Under her direction, the pharmacy made compounded creams that were made to maximize reimbursement from government and private insurance programs, not for patients needs, according to the plea deal. Click […]

FDA Releases Draft Guidance to Revamp Drug Indication and Usage Labels

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

On July 6, 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released draft guidance outlining its recommendations for how drug companies should word the indications and usage sections on a drug’s label. The new guidance aims to increase readability and reduce redundant information on indications and usage.

Drug Indication Label.

Prescribers can expect to see revamped drug labels with clearer descriptions of the conditions and patient populations for which an FDA-approved drug is indicated. Also, described in the guidance are circumstances when it might be appropriate for an indication to be either broader or narrower than the parameters of the clinical studies that backed its approval.

In addition to suggesting what information labels should include, […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:24-04:00July 12, 2018|Categories: The Health Law Firm Blog|Tags: Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defense attorney, health care compliance lawyer, health law defense attorney, legal representation for health care professionals, legal representation for pharmacies, legal representation for pharmacists, pharmacist defense attorney, pharmacist representation, pharmacy defense lawyer, pharmacy representation, representation for FDA matters, representation for prescribers, reviews of The Health Law Firm attorneys, The Health Law Firm reviews|Comments Off

Orlando Pharmacist Accused of Filling Phony Prescriptions for Painkillers

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

Sex, prescription drugs and money – sounds like the next big rock ‘n’ roll song, doesn’t it? According to a number of news sources, the owner of an Avalon Park-area pharmacist was allegedly knowingly filling phony prescriptions for painkillers. The pharmacist is also accused of exchanging sex for drugs with at least one woman, according to the Orlando Sentinel. This investigation was led by the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation (MBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Both agencies simultaneously raided the pharmacy on November 29, 2012.

Avalon Park is a community it the greater Orlando area.

DEA Agents Raided Pharmacy and Pharmacist’s Home.

According to WFTV, the owner of the pharmacy and two employees sat handcuffed outside the pharmacy as […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:41-04:00June 1, 2018|Categories: DEA, Pharmaceutical Drugs, Pharmacy, The Health Law Firm Blog|Tags: administrative hearings, criminal charges, DEA investigation, DEA raid, defense attorney, defense lawyer, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), drug trafficking, fake prescriptions, Florida Department of Health (DOH), legal defense for pharmacists, legal representation for pharmacists, Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation (MBI), pharmacies, pharmacist, pharmacy investigation, quality assurance, smurfs|Comments Off

South Florida Man Busted for Fraudulently Working as a Pharmacist

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

On July 24, 2012, a 49-year-old man from Ruskin in South Fla., pleaded guilty in federal court to fraudulently working as a Central Florida pharmacist from 2000 to 2009, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ) in a press release.

Man Allegedly Gave the Wrong Prescription to At Least One Customer.

Prosecutors said this man worked at pharmacies throughout Central Florida, including CVS pharmacy and Walgreens. According to the Orlando Sentinel, while working at one of the pharmacies, he gave a customer the incorrect medication, causing that person to suffer a severe reaction and stroke.

How He Obtained a License.

Allegedly, the man fraudulently obtained a pharmacist license in September of 2000 from the State […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:33-04:00June 1, 2018|Categories: Department of Health, In the News, The Health Law Firm Blog|Tags: criminal charges, dea, DEA investigation, DEA number, department of health, Department of Justice, doh, DOJ, FBI, identity theft, investigation, legal defense for pharmacists, legal representation for pharmacists, license revoked, pharmacies, pharmacy investigation, quality assurance|Comments Off

Fake Pharmacist Sentenced to Prison for Working in Central Florida Pharmacies

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

On November 2, 2012, a former Altamonte Springs resident was sentenced to three and a half years in federal prison for fraudulently working as a Central Florida pharmacist from 2000 to 2009, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Click here to read the press release from the DOJ.

I previously blogged about this story when the fake pharmacist pleaded guilty. Click here to read that blog.

Phony Pharmacist Worked at Central Florida Pharmacies Including CVS and Walgreens.

According to an article in the Orlando Sentinel, the man worked at pharmacies throughout Central Florida, including a CVS and a Walgreens. While working at one of the pharmacies, he allegedly gave a customer the incorrect […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:39-04:00June 1, 2018|Categories: DEA, Department of Health, Fake Health Care Professionals, In the Know, Pharmacy, The Health Law Firm Blog|Tags: criminal charges, DEA investigation, DEA number, defense attorney, defense lawyer, Department of Health (DOH), DOH investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), identity theft, investigation, legal defense for pharmacists, legal representation for pharmacists, license revoked, pharmacies, pharmacy investigation, quality assurance|Comments Off

South Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Working as a Pharmacist

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

On July 24, 2012, a 49-year-old man from Ruskin in South Fla., pleaded guilty in federal court to fraudulently working as a Central Florida pharmacist from 2000 to 2009, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ) in a press release.

Fake Pharmacist was Working at Central Florida Pharmacies.

Prosecutors said this man worked at pharmacies throughout Central Florida, including CVS pharmacy and Walgreens. According to the Orlando Sentinel, while working at one of the pharmacies, he gave a customer the incorrect medication, causing that person to suffer a severe reaction and stroke.

Alleged Identity Theft to Obtain Pharmacist License.

Allegedly, the man fraudulently obtained a pharmacist license in September of 2000 from the State Department of Health (DOH) by using the […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:38-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: Legal Defense for Pharmacists, Pharmacist, Pharmacy, Pharmacy Law|Tags: criminal charges, dea, DEA investigation, DEA number, department of health, Department of Justice, doh, DOJ, FBI, identity theft, investigation, legal defense for pharmacists, legal representation for pharmacists, license revoked, pharmacies, pharmacy investigation, quality assurance|Comments Off

Phony Pharmacist Gets Prison Time for Working at Pharmacies in Central Florida

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

On November 2, 2012, a former Altamonte Springs resident was sentenced to three and a half years in federal prison for fraudulently working as a Central Florida pharmacist from 2000 to 2009, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Click here to read the press release from the DOJ.

I previously blogged about this story when the fake pharmacist pleaded guilty. Click here to read that blog.

Man Allegedly Worked at a CVS and Walgreens in Central Florida.

According to an article in the Orlando Sentinel, the man worked at pharmacies throughout Central Florida, including a CVS and a Walgreens. While working at one of the pharmacies, he allegedly gave a customer the incorrect medication, causing that person to suffer a […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:08-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: Department of Health, Florida Board of Pharmacy, Legal Defense for Pharmacists, Pharmacist, Pharmacy, Pharmacy Law|Tags: criminal charges, DEA investigation, DEA number, defense attorney, defense lawyer, Department of Health (DOH), DOH investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), identity theft, investigation, legal defense for pharmacists, legal representation for pharmacists, license revoked, pharmacies, pharmacy investigation, quality assurance|Comments Off

Sex, Drugs and Money Lands Avalon Park Pharmacist in Handcuffs

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

Sex, prescription drugs and money – sounds like the next big rock ‘n’ roll song, doesn’t it? According to a number of news sources, the owner of an Avalon Park-area pharmacist was allegedly knowingly filling phony prescriptions for painkillers. The pharmacist is also accused of exchanging sex for drugs with at least one woman, according to the Orlando Sentinel. This investigation was led by the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation (MBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Both agencies simultaneously raided the pharmacy on November 29, 2012.

Avalon Park is a community it the greater Orlando area.
Filling Phony Prescriptions.

According to WFTV, the owner of the pharmacy and two employees sat handcuffed outside the pharmacy as federal drug agents reportedly […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:08-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: Pharmacist, Pharmacy, Pharmacy Law, Trafficking Prescription Painkillers|Tags: administrative hearings, criminal charges, DEA investigation, DEA raid, defense attorney, defense lawyer, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), drug trafficking, fake prescriptions, Florida Department of Health (DOH), legal defense for pharmacists, legal representation for pharmacists, Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation (MBI), pharmacies, pharmacist, pharmacy investigation, quality assurance, smurfs|Comments Off

The 25 Biggest Mistakes Pharmacists Make After Being Notified of a Department of Health Complaint

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

The investigation of a complaint which could lead to the revocation of a pharmacist’s license to practice and the assessment of tens of thousands of dollars in fines, usually starts with a simple letter from the Department of Health (DOH). This is a very serious legal matter and it should be treated as such by the pharmacist who receives it. Yet, in many cases, attorneys are consulted by pharmacists after the entire investigation is over, and they have attempted to represent themselves throughout the case. Often, the mistakes that have been made severely compromise an attorney’s ability to achieve a favorable result for the pharmacist.

These are the 25 biggest mistakes we see in the pharmacy cases we are called upon to defend […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:09-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: Florida Board of Pharmacy, Legal Defense for Pharmacists, Pharmacist, Pharmacy Law|Tags: criminal charges, dea, DEA investigation, department of health, doh, FBI, I’ve been notified of a DOH complaint Department of Health, investigation, legal defense for pharmacists, legal representation for pharmacists, license revoked, pharmacies DEA number, pharmacy investigation, quality assurance, What to do if you’re being investigated|Comments Off

Safeway Pharmacy Settles Medical Negligence and Wrongful Death Suit Over Woman’s Death

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

On December 5, 2016, a Nebraska magistrate judge signed off on an agreement resolving a widower’s wrongful death suit. The medical negligence suit contends that Safeway pharmacists negligently dispensed methadone and another medication to the plaintiff’s now-dead wife even though using the drugs together is risky, ultimately leading to her death.

Medical Negligence.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas D. Thalken, granted a stipulation of dismissal in Brian Crawford’s litigation alleging that Safeway is liable for his wife’s death. Crawford alleges that Safeway is responsible for his late wife’s death because its pharmacists gave her both methadone and fluconazole, despite the fact that the medications are contraindicated for simultaneous use. Click here to read the order in full.

Brian Crawford, who originally filed suit in April 2014, […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:22-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: Health Facilities Law Blog|Tags: Colorado Board of Pharmacy defense legal counsel, Colorado pharmacist defense legal counsel, defense attorney for health care professionals, District of Columbia (D.C.) Board of Pharmacy lawyer, District of Columbia (D.C.) pharmacist lawyer, Kentucky Board of Pharmacy defense attorney, Kentucky pharmacist defense attorney, legal representation for medical negligence, legal representation for pharmacies, legal representation for pharmacists, legal representation for wrongful death lawsuits, Louisiana Board of Pharmacy attorney, Louisiana pharmacist attorney, medical negligence defense attorney, Medical negligence lawsuit, reviews of The Health Law Firm, The Health Law Firm attorney reviews, Virginia Board of Pharmacy defense lawyer, Virginia pharmacist defense lawyer, wrongful death defense lawyer, wrongful death lawsuit|Comments Off