DEA Investigation Results In Indictment Of Tucson Doctor
Dr. David Alan Ruben faces 26 state charges for unlawfully prescribing opioids
TUCSON, Ariz. - The DEA announced today, along with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, the grand jury indictment of Dr. David Alan Ruben, a medical doctor and board certified psychiatrist. Dr. Ruben was indicted on a total of 26 felony charges, including Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices and Administration of Narcotic Drugs. The Tucson District Office of the Drug Enforcement (DEA) and special agents from the Arizona Attorney General's Office investigated this case.
Dr. Ruben, 70, is the owner of Healthcare Southwest, a pain management medical clinic in Tucson. Pursuant to an Arizona Medical Board Order in February 2016, Dr. Ruben was prohibited from prescribing, administering, or dispensing any Schedule II controlled substance for two years. Despite the order, Dr. Ruben allegedly prescribed Hydrocodone and Oxycodone to 11 different patients on 25 separate occasions between September 2016 and March 2017.
On March 7, 2018, the DEA Acting Administrator signed the order to revoke Dr. Ruben’s DEA Registration. Dr. Ruben's medical license was suspended by the Arizona Medical Board effective April 6, 2017.
This case was investigated by the DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad, Tucson Police Department, Pima County Sheriff’s Department, the Arizona Medical Board and the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. All defendants are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
