Florida’s Prescription Drug Importation Plan Continues to Gain Support
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law On March 12, 2019, the Florida House of Representatives’ Health Quality Subcommittee voted 15 to 2 to approve House Bill 19 (HB 19) that would implement one of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ recently announced health care proposals. In […]
Florida Governor’s Prescription Foreign Drug Importation Plan Gains House Support
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law On March 12, 2019, the Florida House of Representatives’ Health Quality Subcommittee voted 15 to 2 to approve House Bill 19 (HB 19) that would implement one of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ recently announced health care proposals. In […]
Florida Sues Walgreens, CVS For Alleged Role in Helping Create and Increase Opioid Crisis
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law On November 19, 2018, the state of Florida announced that it is suing pharmacy chains Walgreens and CVS over their role in what it calls “unconscionable efforts to increase and expand the ongoing opioid crisis in Florida.” State […]
Nationwide Telephone Scam: Phony DEA Agents Extorting Money from Victims
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) is warning the public to be aware of a prescription drug scam. This telephone scheme is extorting money from people all over the country. On November 28, 2012, the DEA released a press […]
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, […]
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 […]
Drug Enforcement Administration Agents Raid 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 Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents along with local police and sheriffs’ deputies raided a Longwood, Florida, pain management clinic on June 14, 2013. According to the Orlando Sentinel, agents searched for evidence at the clinic associated with multiple […]
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. […]
Dentists, Talk to an Attorney Before You Talk to an Investigator
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law In Florida, You DO NOT Have to Speak to an Investigator! Despite mailing out hundreds of thousands of postcards and letters to dentists, throughout Florida, we continue to receive calls from new clients and from potential clients, after […]
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Nabs New York Doctor Allegedly on Drug Charges
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law A raid by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on November 27, 2012, at a New York home led to the arrest of an emergency room (ER) doctor, according to a number of sources. Once inside, agents allegedly found […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Orlando Pharmacist in Hot Water After Filling Fraudulent Prescriptions
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Another pharmacist was led away in handcuffs during a September 25, 2012, raid on an Orlando-area pharmacy, according to a number of sources. The pharmacist is accused of filling prescriptions for oxycodone, even though he allegedly knew the […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The 25 Biggest Mistakes Dentists 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 dentist’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 […]
37 Central Floridians Charged with Illicit Pharmaceutical Drug Trafficking
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 […]
Dentists: Please, Please, Please Talk to an Attorney Before You Talk to an Investigator
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Listen up, In Florida You DO NOT Have to Speak to an Investigator! Despite mailing out hundreds of thousands of postcards and letters to dentists, throughout Florida, we continue to receive calls from new clients and from potential […]
Massage Therapists: Beware of Nationwide Telephone Prescription Drug Scheme
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) is warning massage therapists to be aware of a prescription drug scam. This telephone scheme is extorting money from people all over the country. On November 28, 2012, the DEA released a press […]
Psychologists: Don’t Fall Victim to Scammers that Call and Claim to be DEA Agents
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) is warning psychologists to be aware of a prescription drug scam. This telephone scheme is extorting money from people all over the country. On November 28, 2012, the DEA released a press release […]
Nurse: Please, Please, Please: Talk to an Attorney Before You Talk to an Investigator
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law In Florida, You DO NOT Have to Speak to an Investigator! Despite mailing out hundreds of thousands of postcards and letters to physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and psychologists throughout Florida, we continue to receive calls from new clients […]
Nurse Practitioner Arrested in New York Crackdown on Prescription Drug Abuse
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law A New York law enforcement crackdown on prescription drug abuse has resulted in the arrests of 98 people. Among those charged are a nurse practitioner and two doctors. Brooklyn federal prosecutors joined with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), […]
The 25 Biggest Mistakes Nurses Make After Being Notified of a Department of Health Complaint
By Lance Leider, J.D. The investigation of a complaint which could lead to the revocation of a nurse’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 […]
Nurses: Beware of Nationwide Telephone Prescription Drug Scam
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) is warning nurses to be aware of a prescription drug scam. This telephone scheme is extorting money from people all over the country. On November 28, 2012, the DEA released a press release […]
The Collateral Effects of Discipline on Your Nursing License
By George F. Indest, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law A. A case involving an arrest or a conviction involving alcohol abuse (DUI/public Intoxication) or drugs (possession, diversion, theft, trafficking) will probably result in an emergency suspension order (ESO) until the entire licensure case is complete. B. Client may […]
Dentists: Beware of Nationwide Telephone Prescription Drug Scam – Callers Claim to be DEA Agents
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) is warning dentists to be aware of a prescription drug scam. This telephone scheme is extorting money from people all over the country. On November 28, 2012, the DEA released a press release […]
Filling Phony Prescriptions for Pain Killers Lands Orlando Pharmacist Behind Bars
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Another pharmacist was led away in handcuffs during a September 25, 2012, raid on an Orlando-area pharmacy, according to a number of sources. The pharmacist is accused of filling prescriptions for oxycodone, even though he allegedly knew the […]
Central Florida Doctor’s Home and Offices Raided Over Alleged Improper Prescribing Practices
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law In a joint operation, law enforcement officials raided the home and two offices of a Central Florida physician on November 8, 2013, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office. The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office alleges that the doctor […]
CVS Blacklists Second Set of Doctors Accused of Overprescribing Painkillers
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law CVS is again stepping up its own internal efforts to combat the nation’s prescription drug abuse epidemic. According to Reuters, the second largest retail pharmacy chain announced it is cutting off access to the most powerful painkillers for […]
Pharmacists: Beware of Scammers that Call and Claim to be DEA Agents
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) is warning pharmacists to be aware of a prescription drug scam. This telephone scheme is extorting money from people all over the country. On November 28, 2012, the DEA released a press release […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Nurse: Please Talk to an Attorney Before You Talk to an Investigator
By Lance Leider, J.D. In Florida, You DO NOT Have to Speak to an Investigator! Despite mailing out hundreds of thousands of postcards and letters to nurses throughout Florida, we continue to receive calls from new clients and from potential clients, after they have already spoken to and made critical harmful admissions against their own […]
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 […]
Dentists: Tightened Controls on Prescribing to Medicare Part D Patients Could Affect Your Practice
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Starting June 1, 2015, Medicare Part D will no longer reimburse patients or pharmacies for prescriptions unless the dentist opts in and enrolls in Medicare, or opts out and enters into a private contract with the patient. This […]
Pharmacists: Talk to a Lawyer Before You Talk to an Investigator
By Christopher E. Brown, J.D. In Florida, You DO NOT Have to Speak to an Investigator! Despite mailing out hundreds of thousands of postcards and letters to pharmacists, throughout Florida, we continue to receive calls from new clients and from potential clients, after they have already spoken to and made critical harmful admissions against their […]
Two Orlando-Area Pharmacists Arrested on Charges of Allegedly Trafficking Drugs
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Two Orlando-area pharmacists were arrested on June 4, 2013, allegedly in connection to trafficking oxycodone, according to a number of local media sources. An Orlando Sentinel article states that the pharmacists are also co-owners of an Orlando pharmacy […]
Purpose of Florida E-FORCSE Prescription Database Not for Disciplinary or Criminal Prosecution Purposes Against Physicians, Pharmacists or Other Health Professionals
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law As you are no doubt aware now, Florida has an active prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP). It is called the “Electronic-Florida Online Reporting of Controlled Substances Evaluation” or “E-FORCSE.” More often it is referred to simply as the […]