In recent years, the U.S War on Drugs has increasingly focused on crimes involving prescription drugs instead of solely on illicit drugs. As a result, healthcare providers are frequently targeted by federal law enforcement agencies during investigations for offenses such as prescription drug diversion. If you are the target of an investigation or have already been charged with drug diversion, it is imperative that you act now to protect yourself, your livelihood, and your reputation. At Haas Law, we have the skills and experience necessary to successfully defend clients charged with prescription drug diversion.
What Is Prescription Drug Diversion?
Prescription drug diversion is a federal crime governed by the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) which applies to all healthcare providers. To prescribe medications covered by the CSA, there must be e legitimate medical purpose for the prescription. In addition, there are rules dictating when these prescriptions can be refilled and how many times they can be refilled. Drug diversion is broadly defined as the “misappropriation of a controlled substance.” While anyone can be charged with drug diversion, law enforcement agencies are increasingly treating it as a “white-collar crime,” making healthcare providers the target of investigations. Common examples of circumstances that might amount to prescription drug diversion include:
- Writing a medically unnecessary prescription
- Falsifying or exaggerating a medical condition to justify narcotics
- Prescribing a higher dose or higher quantity of a medication than a patient requires
- Giving an unauthorized person access to a prescription pad
- Stealing a prescription pad and/or forging a prescription
- Stealing narcotics from a doctor’s office or hospital
What Are the Potential Consequences of a Conviction for Prescription Drug Diversion?
For a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare providers, merely being the target of a federal drug diversion investigation is likely to have serious negative ramifications. Unfortunately, these investigations frequently target multiple locations and/or targets which can lead to “guilt by association” in the eyes of your peers and patients. An actual conviction for prescription drug diversion can lead to:
- A lengthy term of imprisonment
- Suspension or revocation of your medical or professional license
- Loss of DEA registration
- Hefty fines and penalties
- Serious damage to your reputation
Defenses to an Accusation of Prescription Drug Diversion
When the DEA, FBI, or other federal law enforcement agency conducts a prescription drug diversion investigation it typically casts a wide net. As a result, you could be charged with a crime you did not commit and/or charged in a conspiracy in which you did not knowingly participate. The key to protecting your freedom and your reputation is to act swiftly if you believe you are the target of one of these investigations. An experienced defense attorney can find out why you are a target and mount an immediate defense.
Get Help from an Experienced Prescription Drug Diversion Defense Attorney
If you believe you are the target of a federal prescription drug diversion investigation, or you have been charged with diversion, it is imperative that you contact an experienced prescription drug diversion attorney immediately to ensure that your rights are protected.
The federal government has immense resources at its disposal that can be used against you. At Haas Law, we have the resources, experience, and dedication to defend you and we are committed to aggressively doing so.
Call us at 407-755-7675, chat with us online, or submit our online form today. Because we understand that time is of the essence when law enforcement authorities are investigating you, our calls are answered 24 hours a day, allowing you to schedule an appointment as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.