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Need Last Minute Deposition or Hearing Representation? Call The Health Law Firm

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

Our office often takes phone calls from pharmacies and pharmacists needing short-notice representation at a Board of Pharmacy hearing or at a deposition related to a health care matter.

In our experience, many other law firms refuse to represent clients at hearings unless the firm is given plenty of advance notice. We always prefer to have sufficient time to obtain documents, review files, interview witnesses, conduct research and prepare, in order to provide the best possible representation to our client. However, we realize that in certain cases, the alternative is that the client either gets legal representation on little or no advance notice or has to suffer the consequences of having no legal representation.

Administrative Proceedings Can be Complex.

In some cases, individuals may be fooled into believing that they can effectively represent themselves. They later find out that they have gotten in over their heads. Laypersons (meaning, in this case, nonlawyers) who are not aware of such complex matters as the Administrative Procedure Act, the Rules of Civil Procedure, the Rules of Evidence, the Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) Rules which the Board of Pharmacy and the Department of Health (DOH) have enacted, may quickly be confused.

The inexperienced individual, or even the inexperienced attorney, in these matters, can fall into a number of procedural traps that damage an effective defense. This can be advising the individual to talk to the DOH investigator, filing an unnecessary answer to an Administrative Complaint, forgetting or not knowing that the client’s right to be free of self-incrimination applies in this type of case and many, many others.

Procedural Mistakes Can Be Damaging To Your Legal Defense.

Often you will find that merely having an experienced attorney to represent you at a hearing or Board meeting will assist you in avoiding mistakes that damage your case and assist you in preserving your rights for an appeal. In other cases, it may even be possible to obtain a change in the forum to obtain a better result. For example, many laypersons do not know that if you elect an informal hearing before the Board of Pharmacy, you have waived your right to prove you are innocent by contesting the facts alleged against you.

What few know or think of in the heat of the moment is that you can ask at the informal hearing before the Board of Pharmacy to contest the facts, to prove you are not guilty of the charges, and to have the hearing converted to a formal hearing. A formal hearing will be in front of a neutral Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), and you have a great many more procedural rights than you have at an informal hearing. However, we still recommend that you have an experienced health lawyer represent you at a formal hearing.

Professional Liability Insurance May Pay Legal Fees for Deposition Coverage.

If you are a pharmacist or pharmacy that has professional liability insurance, these often provide legal coverage for depositions. This is primarily because the outcome of the deposition may include having you named as a defendant in a professional liability or negligence lawsuit or having disciplinary charges filed against you.

One of the first things you should do if you receive a subpoena or a notice of a deposition is to contact your professional liability insurance carrier and see if it will pay for an attorney to represent you. For example, Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO), CPH & Associates, Nurses Service Organization (NSO), Dentists Advantage and many other malpractice insurance companies provide excellent deposition coverage.

The second thing you should do is to call an experienced attorney and schedule a consultation. Even if you cannot afford to retain the services of the attorney for the actual deposition, a consultation may assist you in properly preparing. Click here to read our blog on this matter and learn more.

Consult With A Health Law Attorney Experienced in the Representation of Pharmacists and Pharmacies.

We routinely provide deposition coverage to pharmacists, pharmacies and other health professionals being deposed in criminal cases, negligence cases, civil cases or disciplinary cases involving other health professionals.

The lawyers of The Health Law Firm are experienced in both formal and informal administrative hearings and in representing physicians, physician assistants and other health professionals in investigations and at Board of Pharmacy hearings. Call now or visit our website www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.

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 Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.

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“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of and a registered service mark of The Health Law Firm, P.A., a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.
Copyright © 2019 The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved.

The Health Law Firm2019-10-10T19:22:13-04:00October 10th, 2019|Categories: Pharmacy Law Blog|Tags: administrative procedure act, administrative proceeding, ALJ, Board of Pharmacy, Board of Pharmacy hearing, defense attorney, defense lawyer, department of health, deposition coverage, disciplinary charges, disciplinary complaint, FAC, final hearing, Florida Administrative Code, Florida Board of Pharmacy, formal hearing, health law firm, health professional, hearing representation, Informal hearing, last minute deposition coverage, legal defense for pharmacists, legal representation, legal representation for pharmacist, legal representation for pharmacy, local deposition coverage, negligence lawsuit, noticed of a deposition, pharmacist, pharmacy, Pharmacy and tagged Administrative Law Judge, professional liability insurance, rights for an appeal, Rules of Civil Procedure, Rules of Evidence, short notice of representation of pharmacy, short notice representation of pharmacist, subpoena, the health law firm|0 Comments

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 representing pharmacists and pharmacies.

Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced with Representing Pharmacists and Pharmacies.

The attorneys of The Health Law Firm provide legal representation to pharmacists and pharmacies in Department of Health (DOH) investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigations, FBI investigations and other types of investigations of health professionals and providers.

To contact The Health Law Firm, please call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.

Sources:

myfloridalegal.com. “DEA: 37 Charged in Longwood Local Impact Drug Trafficking Conspiracy.” AG. (June 20, 2012). From Press Release:

http://www.myfloridalegal.com/newsrel.nsf/newsreleases/9E8D06F29BCB233B85257A230072572A.

Justice.gov. “Law Enforcement Dethrones “Queen” of Longwood, Florida.” DEA, Domestic Field Division. (June 20, 2012). From Press Release:

http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/2012/mia062012.html

About the Author: Dr. Thu Pham, O.D., is a law clerk with The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.

“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of George F. Indest III, P.A. – The Health Law Firm, a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.

The Health Law Firm2012-09-18T14:28:27-04:00June 1st, 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

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 manner is illegal, and that the phony DEA agent has an arrest warrant for them. They are then advised that they can pay a cash fine and avoid arrest. We’ve heard reports that the criminals tell the victim to wire the funds to the DEA’s account, which is actually an overseas account.

If the victims refuse to send money, the phony DEA agents threaten to arrest the victims or come out and search their property.

Click here to read more on this scam from a DEA press release.

The Local Law Enforcement is Investigating.

As we stated before, this is a nationwide scam. However, we’ve recently received a report from a local health care provider that was contacted by one of these phony DEA agents. This person was told the by the con men that he was being investigated by the DEA for an outstanding warrant. The thought of being the target of a DEA investigation can be quite unnerving for anyone working in the medical field.

The real DEA is aware of the situation and is doing a thorough investigation into the scam. Until agents find the people behind this con, they want to remind you that no DEA agent will ever contact a subject by telephone. However, a DEA agent, just like any other law enforcement officer, might show up at your house early in the morning or while you are eating dinner. If you were actually going to be arrested or charged for a crime, the agents would not offer to drop the charges in exchange for money.

Call the DEA Immediately If Criminals Call You.

Criminals are counting on the fact that they will reach a certain number of people who have actually purchased drugs over the internet and will not know for sure whether this is legal. They are counting on the fact that if they think they may have purchased drugs illegally, they will get scared and believe the false accusations. Many people have no idea whether such conduct is legal or illegal. These imposters are banking on your ignorance and fear of being arrested for a criminal act or losing your professional license to practice. They are also banking on the fact you won’t report this to the real police or DEA. If you receive a similar call from phony DEA agents, call the real DEA at 1-877-792-2873.

How Does Your Information Get into the Hands of Criminals?

Chances are they are just “cold-calling” people. There are bound to be a certain number of people (especially in Florida) they reach who have done this. However, if they seem to have your personal health information (or credit card number) report this to the police right away. Be sure to obtain a written police report. Also, you should file a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Complaint with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) to begin an investigation if you believe your personal health information has been stolen by or given to someone else to use.

Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced with Investigations of Health Professionals and Providers.

The attorneys of The Health Law Firm provide legal representation to physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, dentists, pharmacists, psychologists and other health providers in Department of Health (DOH) investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigations, FBI investigations, Medicare investigations, Medicaid investigations and other types of investigations of health professionals and providers.

To contact The Health Law Firm, please call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.

Sound Off!

Have you received a call from these phony DEA agents? Please leave any thoughtful comments below.

Source:

Drug Enforcement Administration. “DEA Scam Alert – Extortion Scheme.” DEA. (November 28, 2012). From: http://www.justice.gov/dea/divisions/mia/2012/mia112812a.shtml

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. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.

“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of George F. Indest III, P.A. – The Health Law Firm, a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.

Suspected Florida Pill Mills Continue to Attract Investigations

According to the Orlando Sentinel, some of the worst alleged pill mills in Florida are located in Orlando. At a small pain clinic near downtown Orlando and an affiliated office, one doctor prescribed more oxycodone during a three-month period in 2010 than all doctors in the state of California combined. Details about the clinic from former employees span a nearly 200-page affidavit filed in Orange County Circuit Court in the racketeering case against doctors and management of this pain clinic. The documents offer a rare glimpse inside the investigation.

In this case, agents examined bank records, Crimeline tips and records from the Medical Examiner’s Office. Additionally, FDLE and Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation agents gathered prescribing data from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, pulled state corporation filings and viewed Department of Health records. Agents obtained the prescribing histories for 75 patients who got their drugs at Walgreens and found that 64 had criminal records. Of those, 42 have been arrested for drug-related crimes.

In addition to exploring paper trails, agents and investigators employed more-traditional law enforcement tactics, including undercover investigations. Posed as patients, undercover MBI agents were prescribed painkillers with little or no medical assessment. While waiting for their turns to see the doctors in the clinics, they overheard patients in the lobby talk about selling drugs.

Undercover agents said there were other indications that this pain clinic was a pill mill. There were long lines outside; armed security guards; and signs that warned patients they needed to bring empty pill bottles and posted what medications were available and a price list for the pills. The pain clinics were a cash business. Insurance was not accepted, and employees told agents the price per visit ranged from $160 to $350.

The original target of this investigation was one of the doctors at the pain clinic, but as agents gathered intelligence, it became clear they needed to learn more about the owners and management.

According to the investigation, the management recruited doctors to work at the clinics, but court documents show they had a problem retaining them. A man who used to work at a nearby business told agents that one of the owners complained to him that doctors were quitting and suggested he would hire the man to pretend to be a doctor at the clinic.

The investigation of this pain clinic resulted in the arrest of the owners and doctor involved in allegedly overprescribing narcotics. As federal, state, and local agencies continue their mission to eradicate pill mills, more pain clinics will be involved in investigations.

If you are concerned about your pain clinic, or if you are a doctor practicing pain management at a pain clinic, please call us today at (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001.

The Health Law Firm2012-02-29T20:34:38-05:00June 1st, 2018|Categories: In the News, Pain Management, Pharmacy, The Health Law Firm Blog|Tags: dea, florida, investigations, orlando, pain clinics, pharmacy|0 Comments

Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Blocks Shipping of Controlled Substances at Walgreens Distribution Center in Florida

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

On September 14, 2012, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) blocked the Walgreens distribution center in Jupiter, Florida, from shipping oxycodone and other controlled drugs to its pharmacies in Florida and the East Coast with an immediate suspension order, according to the DEA. In the press release, the DEA called the Walgreens distribution facility an “imminent danger” to the public.

To see the entire press release from the DEA, click here.

Back in April 2012, the DEA served an administrative inspection warrant at the same facility, as well as its six top retail Walgreens pharmacies in Florida. To see my blog post on that story, click here.

DEA Suspension Order Only Stops the Distribution of Controlled Substances.

The DEA said the Jupiter distribution center has been “the single largest distributor of oxycodone products in Florida” since 2009. The DEA issued the suspension order because it believes Walgreens failed to maintain proper controls to ensure its retailers didn’t dispense drugs to addicts and drug dealers.

The order only applies to the Jupiter distribution center and only suspends the distribution of controlled substances.

Whether or not bath salts fall into this category is unclear. The Florida Legislature recently banned the sale of bath salts and 90 other substances to help stop the big face-eating zombie outbreak in Florida. See my blog on bath salts and the zombie outbreak in Florida.

Recently, the DEA revoked the controlled substance licenses from two CVS pharmacies in Sanford, Florida. The two stores are accused of dispensing an inappropriate number of prescriptions for oxycodone and had a suspicious number of sales of other controlled substances. There is a blog on this story on our website, click here to read it.

Millions of Oxycodone Pills Purchased by Walgreens Stores.

According to a USA Today article, six of Walgreens’ Florida pharmacies allegedly ordered more than a million oxycodone pills a year. One pharmacy in Oviedo, Florida, went from ordering more than 80,000 oxycodone pills in 2009, to nearly 1.7 million in 2011.

Click here to read the USA Today article.

Continued War on Prescription Drug Abuse.

According to the DEA, this is an effort to curb Florida’s prescription drug epidemic. Special Agent Mark Trouville, with the DEA’s Miami Division, said all DEA licensees “have an obligation to ensure that medications are getting into the hands of legitimate patients. When they choose to look the other way, patients suffer and drug dealers prosper.”

Neither Agent Trouville nor the DEA was, apparently, requested to comment on the bath salts ban and its effect on the zombie outbreak, however.

Oxycodone Numbers Published for Shock Value.

I really do not see why the public or our elected representatives are shocked and awed by the meaningless numbers and statistics used in connection with these matters. The fact that Walgreens, the biggest pharmacy retailer in Florida, might distribute over a million oxycodone pills in a year, is a meaningless statistic by itself. If a doctor prescribes a pain management patient a prescription for three (3) pills a day, that is approximately 90 pills per month or 1,080 pills per year. If Walgreens has only 1,000 patients with such a prescription in a year throughout the entire state of Florida, that is in excess of one million (1,000,000) pills per year. I would venture to guess that many single Walgreens retail stores have more than 1,000 customers per day, much less all Walgreens stores throughout Florida.

My point is that any such statistics are meaningless out of context and are only meant to sound huge of one doesn’t stop and think about it.

Another concern is that many, if not the vast majority of the Walgreens customers who now will not be able to get their prescriptions filled, are legitimate pain management patients with legitimate prescriptions written by legitimate physicians.

Where Do Legitimate Chronic-Pain Patients Turn?

I am constantly being contacted by patients who are in dire straits, suffering because they cannot locate a pharmacy to fill their legitimate pain medicine prescriptions. These include injured military veterans, patients who are 100% disabled and on disability or social security, patients injured in automobile accidents and job-related accidents (whose medications are paid for by insurance, if they can find a pharmacy to fill it) and others with real chronic pain issues.

If the largest legitimate chains of pharmacies in the state and nation are not allowed to fill these prescriptions, where will these suffering patients turn? Are these actions driving our citizens into the hands of shady independent pharmacies that have fewer safeguards and less accountability? Are these actions driving our citizens to seek out illegal drug dealers and turn to illegal drugs to cope with their legitimate medical problems? I hope not.

Thank you. I will get off my soapbox now.

Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced in Representing Pharmacies and Pharmacists.

The Health Law Firm represents pharmacists and pharmacies in DEA investigations, regulatory matters, licensing issues, litigation, administrative hearings, inspections and audits. The firm’s 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 www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.

Sources:

Leinwand, Donna. “DEA Inspects Walgreens for Oxycodone Probe.” USA Today. (September 15, 2012). From: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012/09/14/walgreens-and-oxycodone/57782912/1

Pavuk, Amy. “DEA Blocks Controlled-Substance Distribution at Florida Walgreens Facility.” Orlando Sentinel. (September 14, 2012). From: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-09-14/news/os-walgreens-dea-suspension-20120914_1_distribution-center-dea-miami-field-division

DEA. “DEA Serves a Suspension Order on Walgreens Distribution Center in Jupiter, Florida.” DEA.gov. (September 14, 2012). From: http://www.justice.gov/dea/divisions/mia/2012/mia091412.shtml

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. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620. He does not own stock in Walgreens or any other pharmacy.

“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of George F. Indest III, P.A. – The Health Law Firm, a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.

Florida Pharmacy Owner Accused of Medicare Fraud

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

A family that owns a number of South Florida pharmacies is allegedly under investigation for Medicare fraud, according to a number of sources. On January 17, 2013, federal authorities raided one pharmacy location in Naples, Florida. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents removed boxes of documents and computers from the pharmacy, according to Naples News. The pharmacy owner and his mother are allegedly being investigated by the U.S. Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Click here to read the entire Naples News article.

Pharmacy Owner and Mother Allegedly Submitted False Claims to Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare.

According to NBC2, a South Florida television station, the pharmacy owner and his mother were both allegedly part of a scheme that defrauded Medicare. The family allegedly submitted claims to Medicare Part D after beneficiaries had died. This information came from a letter sent to Medicare Part D providers from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on October 17, 2012. The letter was obtained by NBC2. The scheme allegedly also involved submitting false claims to Medicaid and Tricare.

Click here to watch the NBC2 news story.

Investigation is Ongoing.

The pharmacy that was raided is part of a chain of stores owned by the same family. So far, only the pharmacy located on Rattlesnake-Hammock Road in Naples is being investigated. That location is reportedly still closed, but the other pharmacy locations are open.

Neither the DEA nor the OIG of the HHS has released a press release on this investigation.

As in all media reports, please remember that all persons are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Pharmacies Are Being Raided and Shutdown All Over the State.

If you have watched the news at all lately or have been reading our blog, you can tell there have been an increased number of raids on pharmacies, arrests of pharmacists and emergency suspension orders issued from the Department of Health (DOH).

Recently, the DEA served a Walgreens distribution center in Florida with an immediate suspension order (click here to read more on this story), and pulled the controlled substance licenses from two Central Florida CVS Pharmacies (to learn more, click here).

In my personal opinion, the recent raids and investigations at pharmacies are especially hard on the independent operators. If the large retail giants can’t survive, the small independent pharmacies stand little chance.

Talk with an Experienced Health Law Attorney About Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare Issues Now.

The attorneys of The Health Law Firm represent healthcare providers in Medicare audits, ZPIC audits and RAC audits throughout Florida and across the U.S. They also represent physicians, medical groups, nursing homes, home health agencies, pharmacies, hospitals and other healthcare providers and institutions in Medicare and Medicaid investigations, audits, recovery actions and termination from the Medicare or Medicaid Program.

For more information please visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com or call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001.

What Do You Think?

As a pharmacy owner, pharmacy employee or health care facility owner, what do you think of the increased effort to find fraud? Do you think all facilities, not just pharmacies, are under the microscope? Please leave any thoughtful comments below.

Sources:

Freeman, Liz. “Sunshine Pharmacy in East Naples Remains Close, Day After Federal Raid.” Naples News. (January 19, 2013). From: http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/jan/19/sunshine-pharmacy-east-remains-closed-raid-federal/

Ritter, Rick. “Naples Pharmacy Busted for Medicare Fraud.” NBC2. (January 20, 2013). From: http://www.nbc-2.com/story/20627104/detectives-investigating-medicare-fraud-at-naples-pharmacy

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. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.

“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of George F. Indest III, P.A. – The Health Law Firm, a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.

The DEA Attacks Legitimate Pharmaceutical Distributors, Starting with CVS Pharmacy and Cardinal Health

Earlier in February 2012, the DEA accused both CVS Pharmacy, one of the nation’s largest drug store chains, and Cardinal Health, one of the nation’s largest legitimate distributors of pharmaceuticals, of endangering the public by selling excessive amounts of oxycodone to four Florida pharmacies. For Cardinal Health, the charges came in an immediate suspension order served Feb. 3, 2012, when the DEA suspended Cardinal’s license to distribute controlled substances from its Lakeland, Florida location, which serves four states, according to USA Today. Lakeland is located between Orlando and Tampa.

Cardinal immediately challenged the suspension in federal court denying the charges. The DEA’s suspension was temporarily lifted and a hearing was scheduled in the federal district court in Washington, D.C. In preparation for the hearing, the DEA and Cardinal filed hundreds of pages of documents that provide a look into how prescription painkillers have infiltrated the black market. We are attempting to obtain copies of some of these so that we can share them with other interested attorneys and individuals.

As reported in various media sources, the investigation into Cardinal’s operation began after a Cardinal investigator became aware of a rumor that a local pharmacy was selling oxycodone by the pill for cash. This Florida pharmacy was reported to be one of Cardinal’s biggest customers.

Over the next two years, Cardinal employees allegedly visited the same pharmacy at least four more times. Each time, they noted the following suspicious signs: Customers paid cash, oxycodone was the top seller, and young people came into the pharmacy in groups to have their prescriptions filled. The pharmacy allegedly dispensed 462,776 oxycodone pills over a two month period — which is what the DEA states is approximately seven times what the average pharmacy dispenses in a year. Additionally the pharmacy allegedly asked Cardinal for more. Cardinal filled the order for more oxycodone but terminated the pharmacy as a customer.

By the time Cardinal cut the pharmacy off in October 2011, police had arrested at least three doctors who were associated with or had their patients’ prescriptions filled at the pharmacy. Law enforcement officials charged them with trafficking in oxycodone, racketeering and over-prescribing narcotics.

Then, in early February 2012, the DEA reportedly suspended the DEA registrations (sometimes called “DEA numbers” or “DEA licenses”) of four of Cardinal’s largest Florida customers. These suspensions demonstrate the DEA’s strategy to combat the country’s prescription drug abuse problem at the highest levels, regardless of the size or reputation of the company. After years of attacking doctors who dispense drugs from pain clinics, DEA agents are now targeting the legitimate pharmaceutical distributers — the top of the legitimate drug supply chain.

The number of overdose deaths involving prescription pain medications allegedly now exceeds deaths from heroin and cocaine combined, which motivates state and federal agents to be more aggressive in fighting against misuse of drugs.

Under the federal Controlled Substances Act, the DEA regulates every link in the supply chain for controlled substances such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, including manufacturers, distributors, doctors and pharmacies. According to the DEA, approximately 1.4 million entities have DEA registrations to handle controlled pharmaceuticals. The law requires pharmaceutical distributors, like Cardinal Health, to have systems to detect suspicious orders, which must then be reported to the DEA. Additionally, federal regulations require that any thefts, losses or shortages of controlled medications be reported to the DEA.

In court documents filed in response to Cardinal’s challenge, the DEA said Cardinal ignored “red flags” raised to detect suspicious orders. However, Cardinal argues that volume alone is not enough to determine whether a pharmacy is diverting the drugs, because it does not account for a pharmacy’s location, the age and health of the population, and the proximity to hospitals, nursing homes and cancer centers.

The DEA routinely cites the volumes of drugs a pharmacy fills or the numbers of tablets of a certain type of medication for which a doctor writes prescriptions. This is also a factor the DEA uses in cases we have seen where it seeks to suspend or revoke the DEA registrations of physicians and pharmacies in administrative cases. However, some judges have expressed a reluctance to admit such “bean counting” or naked numbers as being irrelevant, when not supported by testimony or evidence placing the numbers into context with other factors, such as the physician’s practice, patient mix, standards of treatment, severity of illness, etc.

In the federal court case now pending, Cardinal has stated in papers filed that it has a “robust” detection system and has cut off more than 330 pharmacies, including 140 pharmacies located in Florida, over the past four years that it decided posed an unreasonable risk of diversion.

In a news article posted late on February 29, 2012, the Associated Press advised that federal Judge Reggie Walton had ruled against Cardinal Health earlier in the day. Apparently Cardinal Health had originally obtained a “stay” (sometimes referred to as a “temporary restraining order” or “temporary injunction”) against the DEA’s suspension order. However, after a hearing held on February 29 in which Cardinal Health sought an injunction against the DEA’s enforcement of its suspension, Judge Walton announced a decision form the bench. He reportedly refused to grant Cardinal Health an injunction against the DEA, apparently agreeing with the DEA’s position.

This battle between Cardinal Health and the DEA is an important one as it demonstrates the DEA continued efforts to attempt to exert more control over pain clinics, pain management physicians, pharmacists, pharmacies, and now, pharmaceutical distributors. If you believe that the DEA is investigating you, your facility, your company or if you want to learn more about the legal implications of pain management, visit our website to learn more.

Sources for this article included; the Orlando Sentinel, Boston Globe, Associated Press, USA Today and Florida Today.

The Health Law Firm2012-03-01T16:25:39-05:00June 1st, 2018|Categories: In the News, Pain Management, Pharmacy, The Health Law Firm Blog|Tags: cardinal health, CVS, dea, florida, investigations, orlando, pain clinics, pharmacy|0 Comments

New Popular Drug Called “Smiles” Outlawed in Florida – Zombie Attacks Still a Threat!

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

In previous blogs we’ve mentioned that Florida Governor Rick Scott signed House Bill 1175 on March 23, 2012. This bill outlawed more than 90 new forms of synthetic drugs and included bath salts, among others. It modifies Section 893.03(1)(c), Florida Statutes, by expanding the list of banned hallucinogenic substances in Schedule I of the Florida Comprehensive Abuse Prevention and Control Act. To see Florida HB 1175, click here. To see the entire list of banned substances, click here.

As you are no doubt aware, this was due, in part, to the recent outbreak of zombie attacks in the state of Florida. To see my prior blog on this, click here.

A new drug is popping up on the market with the name 2C-I or “smiles.” This drug is on the list of banned hallucinogenic substances, but has been linked to a number of deaths across the country.

Click here to learn more on the dangers of taking smiles.

Actor Thought to Have Taken Smiles Prior to Death.

According to CBS News, Johnny Lewis, an actor on the TV show “Sons of Anarchy,” is believed to have taken smiles before allegedly killing his landlady and falling to his death. Detectives believe the actor also had mental health issues.

To see the CBS News story, click here.

Florida’s Synthetic Drug Legislation Imposes Restrictions on Synthetic Substances.
The law that was passed in Florida put in place restrictions to prevent abuse of synthetic substances including certain synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic stimulants. Many of the synthetic substances are also commonly known as synthetic marijuana, smiles, bath salts, K2, potpourri, and incense.

The large quantities of synthetic substances are included in HB 1175 because the chemical compounds in these substances are easy to change. The ease of converting these substances into illegal drugs helps illegal drug makers, users and sellers to avoid arrest and prosecution. For example, one synthetic substance might be illegal under the Florida Comprehensive Abuse Prevention and Control Act, but a minor change in the molecular makeup might make the substance legal. Florida residents who desired to become zombies could just take one of these synthetic substances (don’t ask how). They no longer have to go to Haiti or watch “Weekend at Bernie’s” three times in a row.

Banning Synthetic Drugs Was An Attempt To Reduce Cannibalistic Attacks.

Who can forget the story of the Miami cannibal believed to have been on bath salts?

To refresh your memory, click here to see the story from CNN. Warning this does include actual video of the attack.

It was rumored that one prominent Florida lawmaker stated that banning bath salts, smiles and other synthetic drugs should help to reduce the reported acts of cannibalism and zombie-like behavior in Florida.

Manufacturers and Retailers, Watch Your Back.

The passing of HB 1175 could mean more issues for manufacturers and retailers of any products utilizing synthetic substances such as bath salts, herbal incense, or potpourri. If you manufacture or sell any product that is composed of synthetic substances you should regularly test your products to ensure that you are in full compliance with the new law.

On October 2, 2012, a Port Orange, Florida, store owner was charged with drug possession with intent to sell. Officials accused him of selling synthetic drugs, including marijuana and bath salts.

To see the Orlando Sentinel story on this arrest, click here.

Contact Experienced Health Law Attorneys.

The Health Law Firm routinely 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 www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.

Comments?

What do you think about the ban on synthetic drugs? Do you think it is working or not working? Please submit any thoughtful comments below.

Sources:

Jaslow, Ryan. “‘Smiles’ Druge Implicated in Actor’s Death: What Are They?” CBS News. (September 28, 2012). From: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57522571/smiles-drug-implicated-in-actors-death-what-are-they/

Weiss, Piper. “2C-I or ‘Smiles’: The New Killer Drug Every Parent Should Know About.” Yahoo. (September 20, 2012). From: http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/2c-smiles-killer-drug-every-parent-know-234200299.html

Hernandez, Arelis. “Store Owner Accused of Selling Synthetic Drugs, Bath Salts.” Orlando Sentinel. (October 2, 2012). From: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-bath-salts-arrest-20121002,0,7437907.story

CNN. “Security Video Shows Entire Miami ‘Zombie’ Attack.” CNN. (May 30, 2012). From: http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/05/30/security-video-shows-entire-miami-zombie-attack/

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. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.

“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of George F. Indest III, P.A. – The Health Law Firm, a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.

The Health Law Firm2012-10-17T14:04:31-04:00June 1st, 2018|Categories: In the Know, In the News, The Health Law Firm Blog|Tags: Attorney General, attorneys, bath salts, cannibalism, cannibalistic, dea, defense attorney, defense lawyer, doctor, drug bans, drug enforcement administration, drugs, florida, florida health attorney, Florida health lawyer, k2, laws, legal, nurse, pharmacies, pharmacists, pharmacy, physician, potpourri, prevention, smiles, synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic drug bill, synthetic drug use, synthetic drugs, synthetic marijuana, zombie attacks, zombies, zombiism|0 Comments

Two More Compounding Pharmacies Recall Drugs

By Carole C. Schriefer, R.N., J.D., The Health Law Firm and George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Two different compounding pharmacies have recently recalled products due to concerns from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The New Jersey compounding pharmacy, Med Prep Consulting, and Clinical Specialties Compounding in Georgia, both recalled products between March 17, 2013 and March 20, 2013.

The recalls were issued as the FDA and state agencies step up regulation on compounding pharmacies across the country. These agencies are trying to prevent another widespread outbreak, like the fungal meningitis outbreak in the fall of 2012, which is responsible for 50 deaths.

Recall Upgraded in New Jersey.

Med Prep Consulting first issued a recall on March 17, 2013, for all lots of magnesium sulfate for injections after a hospital reported seeing visible particles in the containers. Three days later, the compounding pharmacy recalled all of its compounded products. Med Prep Consulting has halted production, processing and shipping. The FDA reported products distributed through March 15, 2013, in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Connecticut need to be returned to the company. Click here to see all the recalled products from Med Prep Consulting.

Eye Infections from Georgia Compounding Pharmacy Products.

According to Modern Healthcare, at least five people have acquired serious eye infections associated with the use of the cancer drug Avastin packaged in syringes from Clinical Specialties Compounding. At the company’s facility in Georgia the FDA raised concerns about the lack of sterility assurance. Products covered under the recall were distributed nationwide, between October 19, 2012 and March 19, 2013. Until further notice, healthcare providers are asked to stop using all of these sterile products and return them to the company. Click here to read the press release on the recall from the FDA.

Florida Compounding Pharmacy in Hot Water Due to Fungal Growth.
We have previously blogged about the problems encountered by Franck’s pharmacy in Ocala, Florida. It has been accused of distributing eye medications that contained a fungal infection. Click here for the first blog and here for the second blog on this.

Harsher Regulations on Compounding Pharmacies.

Since the widespread fungal meningitis outbreak, compounding pharmacies have fallen under heightened scrutiny. The FDA is beefing up their oversight of compounding, and, according to Modern Healthcare, the FDA and state Department of Health (DOH) agencies have been paying surprise visits to compounding pharmacies. Click here to read more from Modern Healthcare.

Common Deficiencies We See in Pharmacy Inspections.

Pharmacies and pharmacists are subject to many types of inspections. These inspections are necessary to determine whether the business and its employees are complying with state and federal laws and regulations. Administrative agencies, such as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), FDA and DOH, have the authority to inspect pharmacies.

With our experience working with pharmacists and pharmacies we’ve seen a number of different inspection deficiencies. These errors may result in a complaint being filed and the beginning of the administrative law process regarding investigations and hearings.

Here are some common deficiencies often found during pharmacy inspections:

1. Pharmacy technicians not properly identified with name tags and identified as
pharmacy technicians (as opposed to pharmacists);

2. Pharmacy technicians not supervised by pharmacist;

3. Medication on shelves not properly labeled (including exact number of pills remaining in bottle);

4. Controlled substances not accurately recorded on appropriate forms; and

5. Not keeping schedule II inventory and dispensing records separate from schedule III-V records.

Click here to read a recently blog listing more deficiencies and your best defense to protect your pharmacy license and pharmacist license.

Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced in Representing Pharmacies and Pharmacists.

The Health Law Firm represents pharmacists and pharmacies in investigations, regulatory matters, licensing issues, litigation, inspections and audits. The firm’s 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 www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.

Comments?

What do you think of the harsher regulations compound pharmacies are now facing? Please leave any thoughtful comments below.

Sources:

Meinhardt, Jane. “Compounding Pharmacies Set to Navigate Potential Regulations.” Tampa Bay Business Journal. (January 25, 2013). From: http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/print-edition/2013/01/25/compounding-pharmacies-set-to-navigate.html?s=print

Blesch, Gregg. “Georgia Compounding Pharmacy Widens Recall.” Modern Healthcare. (March 22, 2013). From: http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20130322/NEWS/303229959/#

Clinical Specialties. “Clinical Specialties Compounding Pharmacy Announces Voluntary Nationwide Recall of All lots of Sterile Products Repackaged and Distributed by Clinical Specialties Compounding Due to Lack of Sterility Assurance.” Food and Drug Administration. (March 20, 2013). From: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm344786.htm

About the Authors: Carole C. Schriefer is an attorney with The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Avenue, Altamonte Springs, Florida 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.

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. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.

The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of George F. Indest III, P.A. – The Health Law Firm, a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.
Copyright © 1996-2012 The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved.

New Florida Drug Database Aimed at Preventing Drug Abuse

Recently, Florida pharmacists, physicians and pain management clinics have received negative attention over frequent Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) raids. Now, Florida is once again in the spotlight as the state has launched a drug database in an attempt to reduce drug abuse perpetuated by visits to the doctor.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, this database will allow physicians and pharmacists to review a patient’s prescription history before issuing prescriptions for painkillers like OxyContin and other powerful drugs.

These preventative measures are not new to Florida health care providers. After garnering a reputation for frequent drug trafficking, proliferated by pain management clinics, the state passed legislation banning many doctors from dispensing dangerous controlled substances in their offices.

Currently, use of the database is not mandatory, but legislators are hoping to make it a requirement in the future. Both the Florida Medical Association and the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association are urging members to retrieve information from the database before writing prescriptions.

With this new database, physicians, pharmacists and pain management clinics can help prevent visits from the DEA and Department of Health (DOH). Instead of writing prescriptions for powerful painkillers every time a patient comes calling, doctors can now judge whether a patient is really in need or abusing drugs. Being able to see every instance that a patient has filled a prescription for drugs like OxyContin and Valium will allow physicians and pharmacists to understand the whole picture If a patient is shopping around for drugs, it will be made apparent.

Keep the DEA from your practice by taking every precaution, including querying the database before writing or administering a prescription. For more information on DEA cases see this article about defending yourself in the event of an investigation. Pharmacists can learn about more legal matters concerning their profession here.

The Health Law Firm2011-10-21T16:11:45-04:00June 1st, 2018|Categories: In the News, Pain Management, Pharmacy, The Health Law Firm Blog|Tags: drug database, florida, pain management, pain management clinics, pharmacisits, pharmacy, prescriptions|0 Comments