Oswego County Dentist Agrees to Pay $60,000 and Surrenders DEA Registration for Five Years Due to Office Staff’s Illegal Use of Electronic Prescription System
Pasar al contenido principal
U.S. flag

Un sitio oficial del Gobierno de Estados Unidos

Así es como usted puede verificarlo

Dot gov
Los sitios web oficiales usan .gov
Un sitio web .gov pertenece a una organización oficial del Gobierno de Estados Unidos.
Https

Los sitios web seguros .gov usan HTTPS
Un candado ( Candado Un candado cerrado ) o https:// significa que usted se conectó de forma segura a un sitio web .gov. Comparta información sensible sólo en sitios web oficiales y seguros.

  • Quiénes somos
    • Sobre la DEA
    • Mission
    • Nuestra historia
    • Divisiones Nacionales
      • Operational Divisions
    • DEA Museum
    • Wall of Honor
    • Contáctenos
      • Submit a Tip
      • Extortion Scam
      • Public Affairs
      • Social Media Directory
  • Recursos
    • Illegal Online Pharmacies
    • OD Justice
    • Fentanyl Supply Chain
    • Pill Press Resources
    • Recovery Resources
    • Together for Families
    • Ley de Libertad de Información
      • Fee Waiver
    • Publications
    • Galerías Multimedia
    • Programa de Asistencia a Testigos para Víctimas
      • Human Trafficking Prevention

United States Drug Enforcement Administration

  • Recibir Actualizaciones
  • Scam Alert
  • Menú Completo
  • English
  • Español

Main Menu

Explore DEA
  • Quiénes somos
    • Sobre la DEA
    • Mission
    • Nuestra historia
    • Divisiones Nacionales
    • DEA Museum
    • Wall of Honor
    • Contáctenos
  • Recursos
    • Illegal Online Pharmacies
    • OD Justice
    • Fentanyl Supply Chain
    • Pill Press Resources
    • Recovery Resources
    • Together for Families
    • Ley de Libertad de Información
    • Publications
    • Galerías Multimedia
    • Programa de Asistencia a Testigos para Víctimas

Sobrescribir enlaces de ayuda a la navegación

  • Inicio
  • Oswego County Dentist Agrees to Pay $60,000 and Surrenders DEA Registration for Five Years Due to Office Staff’s Illegal Use of Electronic Prescription System

Oswego County Dentist Agrees to Pay $60,000 and Surrenders DEA Registration for Five Years Due to Office Staff’s Illegal Use of Electronic Prescription System

Octubre 03, 2022
|
Share Article
|
Download Press Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Kenneth M. Heino
Phone Number: 862-373-3557

Employee Used Prescribing Credentials to Obtain Oxycodone for Personal Use

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK –  Dr. Omar Guesmia, of Phoenix, New York will pay $60,000 to resolve allegations that he, and his dentistry practice, “Gentle Dental Care,” violated the Controlled Substances Act by enabling an office staff member to use an electronic prescription system to obtain oxycodone for their own use.  

The announcement was made by Carla B. Freedman, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division.

Physicians generally send prescriptions to pharmacies using an electronic prescription system that can only be accessed using a password or other token, ensuring that only authorized persons transmit prescriptions to a pharmacy.  Federal and New York State law prohibit practitioners from sharing their prescribing credentials with others and provide that physicians are responsible for all prescriptions written under their credentials.  Dr. Guesmia gave his credentials to an office staff member, who transmitted oxycodone prescriptions to various pharmacies, then retrieved the prescriptions for their own illegitimate use.  As part of the civil settlement, Dr. Guesmia admitted that he failed to monitor the prescriptions written using his credentials. 

“The authority to prescribe controlled substances comes with great responsibility,” said United States Attorney Freedman. “I encourage all medical providers who have a prescription pad or credentials to safeguard access and vigilantly monitor their use through resources like New York State’s Prescription Monitoring Program, also known as I-STOP.” 

“DEA Diversion teams focus on helping communities avoid overdoses and poisonings through regulation and investigation,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino.  “This settlement is a reminder of how much harm a prescription pad can have when it is in the wrong hands.  I commend the Northern District of New York, U.S. Attorney’s Office, the New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, as well as the DEA’s Albany Tactical Diversion Squad and DEA’s New York Diversion and Intel Groups for their diligent work throughout this investigation.” 

Dr. Guesmia surrendered his DEA Registration, and as part of the civil settlement agreement, agreed not to seek a renewal for at least five years. 

This case was jointly investigated by DEA New York Division’s Albany Tactical Diversion Squad, Intelligence Group, and New York City’s Diversion Group and the New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Moran handled this matter on behalf of the United States. 

Download Press Release
###
US Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration

Drug Enforcement Administration

Frank A. Tarentino III Special Agent in Charge - New York
@DEANewYorkDiv
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Email

SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Locator

  • Quienes Somos
    • Sobre
    • Contáctenos
    • Museo DEA
  • Recursos
    • Ley de Libertad de Información (FOIA)
    • Publicaciones
    • Galerías Multimedia
    • Programa de Asistencia a Testigos para Víctimas
  • Políticas
    • Accesibilidad, Complementos y Política
    • Políticas Legales y Descargos de Responsabilidad
    • Antidiscriminación y Represalias Acto
    • Política de Privacidad
    • Política de Igualdad de Oportunidades en el Empleo del U.S. DOJ
    • USA.gov
    • Protección de Denunciantes
    • Your Rights as a Federal Employee

United States Drug Enforcement Administration

DEA.gov is an official site of the U.S. Department of Justice
Facebook X LinkedIn Instagram

DEA Contact Center

(202) 307-1000 info@dea.gov
Contact the Webmaster