WASHINGTON – Today, ahead of the expiration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) issued the “Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications” – a temporary rule that extends telemedicine flexibilities...

Louisville, Ky. – The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the State of West Virginia are hosting a discussion on Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) in Charleston, West Virginia on Saturday, April 15, 2023 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The event will take place at the University of Charleston’s...

INDIANAPOLIS - A joint investigation by Drug Enforcement Administration-Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) has led to the arrest of Zennon Gaines, a pharmacy technician from Indianapolis, who has been charged with multiple violations, including felony dealing and possession of a controlled substance by fraud/forgery. The joint investigation...

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Dr. George Barrio, a pain management physician who formerly practiced medicine at the NeuroMedical Institute in Panama City, agreed to pay $225,000 to resolve allegations that he unlawfully prescribed opioids and other controlled substances to patients. The settlement was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney...

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 18 months in prison and his nursing license forfeited after stealing controlled substances from his employer. According to court documents, in March 2021, Alec Ramirez, 32, of Overland Park, Kan., removed vials of fentanyl and hydromorphone from an automated dispensing...

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Alfred A. Cooke, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of Drug Enforcement Administration-Merrillville, Indiana, and U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson for the Northern District of Indiana announced that Lucian Boboia, age 49, of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading...

WASHINGTON - Today, the Drug Enforcement Administration announced proposed permanent rules for the prescribing of controlled medications via telemedicine, expanding patient access to critical therapies beyond the scheduled end of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The public will be able to comment for 30 days on the proposed rules. The...

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Timothy Ramsden, of Panama City, Florida, practicing at The Anti-Aging Clinic of Northwest Florida, settled potential violations of the Controlled Substances Act by agreeing to pay a fine of $190,731 and surrendering his Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration for Schedule II and IIN controlled substances for a...

BROOKLYN – Daniel E. Russo pleaded guilty today in federal court in Brooklyn to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone, distribution and possession of oxycodone, and nine counts of filing false personal and corporate tax returns. The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Dora...

NEWARK, N.J. – Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division Daniel J. Kafafian and U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger announced a former office manager of a New Jersey medical practice admitted conspiring with the doctor who owned the...