Indiana doctor surrenders DEA registration for cause
CHICAGO – Special Agent in Charge Robert J. Bell, DEA Chicago Division, announced that on July 17, 2020, Larry R. Brazley, MD, 225 E. 90th Drive, Suite WI, Merrillville, Indiana, surrendered “For Cause” his DEA Practitioner Registration. This investigation revealed that Dr. Brazley was engaged in pre-signing large numbers of blank prescriptions that were later filled for controlled substances by individuals engaged in a prescription fraud ring.
A state-licensed physician is entitled to apply for a DEA Registration and must maintain an approved, active registration to legally prescribe controlled substance medications. If a physician fails to maintain professional standards surrounding the proper handling of controlled substance medications, continued prescriptive authority would be inconsistent with the public interest. In circumstances like these, the DEA may take action to administratively suspend or revoke Registrations.
This investigation revealed that Dr. Brazley had been pre-signing blank prescriptions and providing them to an office medical assistant. The prescriptions were then fraudulently filled for controlled substances, including oxycodone and alprazolam, by individuals who were not Dr. Brazley’s patients.
On July 17, 2020, Dr. Brazley was interviewed and subsequently surrendered “For Cause” his DEA Practitioner Registration. DEA is cooperatively working with the Indiana Medical Board.
“It is of the utmost importance that physicians properly prescribe controlled substances to avoid illegal diversion. We are in the middle of an opioid epidemic, and everyone in the medical field, especially physicians, must do their job to help prevent addiction and overdose deaths. To turn the table, everyone must play a role. DEA is committed to hold accountable individuals who illegally prescribe and obtain controlled substance,” said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Gannon.
