News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 11, 2008
Contact: Special Agent Eileen Zeidler
Number: 858-616-4166

North County Physician Arrested for Issuing Unlawful Prescriptions

SEP 11 -- (San Diego)- On Wednesday September 10, 2008, Jeffrey Yusim, M.D. (50) was arrested by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) following a joint investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Medical Board of California (MBC) and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. Dr. Yusim was charged with seven counts of violating Health and Safety Code section 11153(a), issuance of unlawful prescriptions, section 11359, possession for sale of marijuana and 11357(c) possession of over 1 ounce of marijuana.

In January 2008 the DEA Diversion Control Group initiated an investigation into the controlled substance prescription practices of Dr. Yusim, a board certified physician. Investigative efforts determined that Dr. Yusim routinely issued prescriptions to undercover Agents posing as patients, who did not present legitimate medical indications for the prescribed controlled substance. The prescriptions written by Dr. Yusim were often for highly addictive and often abused prescription drugs including OxyContin, Vicodin ES, Vicodin, Ambien and Phenergan with Codeine cough syrup.

Yesterday search warrants were executed at Dr. Yusim’s Vista residence and his office, Quality Care Medical Center, 840 Townsite Drive, Vista, CA. The search warrant at the residence resulted in the seizure of five loaded handguns, three rifles, a variety of controlled substances including morphine sulfate, oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Xanax, klonopin and ativan, as well as more than half a pound of high-grade marijuana, two scales and several thousand dollars in U.S. currency.

This investigation is being prosecuted by the San Diego District Attorney’s Office, Narcotics Division.

Citizens can report suspected sales and abuse of pharmaceutical drugs to DEA’s toll free tips line at 877-RX-ABUSE (877-792-2873). Additionally, DEA encourages parents along with their children to educate themselves about the dangers of legal and illegal drugs by visiting DEA's interactive websites, www.justthinktwice.com and www.dea.gov.

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