The DEA Is Knocking at Your Door . . . Are You Prepared? – Diagnosing Health Care
If Cannabis Is Reclassified, What Will Happen to the Marketplace? – Diagnosing Health Care
Cannabis Law Now Podcast: What’s Next for Schedule III Marijuana
Podcast - DEA Plants the Seed for Rescheduling Marijuana: What's Next?
The Presumption of Innocence Podcast: Special Edition | Episode 36 - Rolling Change: The DEA Turns Over a New Leaf on Marijuana Scheduling
Podcast: The End of the Public Health Emergency – What's to Come? – Diagnosing Health Care
Minor Cannabinoids: Exploring the Science, Legality, & Opportunities
Podcast: Non-binding Guidance: FDA’s Regulation of Products Containing CBD
A Moment of Simple Justice - Snitching Ain't Easy
Prescription drug fraud has long been a focus for government regulators, but it has taken on new significance in the wake of America’s opioid crisis. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Health and Human...more
Over the last decade, the increased use of Controlled Substance Ordering System (“CSOS”) applications (i.e., platforms used to electronically transmit controlled substance orders) and Electronic Prescriptions for Controlled...more
On August 28, 2023, amendments to Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) regulation 21 CFR 1306.08 will go into effect, which amend the regulations allowing the transfer of initial electronic prescriptions for schedule II-V controlled...more
On February 24, 2023, the Drug Enforcement Agency (“DEA”) announced a new proposed rule, which provides some much-anticipated guidance related to the implications of telemedicine prescribing under Ryan Haight Act of 2008...more
With just over two months before the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) expected expiration on May 11, 2023, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has finally announced its proposed rule on prescribing controlled substances...more
On February 24, 2023, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a pair of proposed rules to make permanent certain “telemedicine flexibilities” related to the prescribing of controlled substances via telehealth...more
As a pharmacist, facing a board of pharmacy investigation can have a multitude of adverse consequences. While losing your license might seem like the greatest risk, this isn’t necessarily the case. Increasingly, boards of...more
In mid-August, the Eastern District of Kentucky granted a preliminary injunction in favor of an interventional pain management physician (Physician) against CVS Pharmacy (CVS) based on allegations that CVS was refusing to...more
The COVID-19 pandemic has created many new enforcement priorities for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). From selling ineffective personal protective equipment (PPE) to companies fraudulently seeking loan forgiveness under...more
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced the nation’s largest settlement involving allegations of drug diversion at a health care system. The settlement, totaling $7,750,000, came after a years-long...more
The Justice Department handed Walmart a huge slap in the face last year with the filing of a comprehensive civil case alleging that Walmart knowingly distributed large quantities of opioids in disregard of the law that fueled...more
Compliance with prescription drug controlled substances prescribing and dispensing rules is essential for pharmacies and prescribers, as penalties for non-compliance are severe and can result in State Board of Pharmacy and...more
Multiple regulatory agencies continue to do their part in the fight against COVID-19. This week, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and state boards of pharmacy all acted to...more
The Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) has waived the in-person examination requirement for prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine in the wake of COVID-19, relaxing the prescribing requirements under the...more
With the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the looming possibility of large scale isolations and quarantines, lawmakers continue to demonstrate willingness to expand access to telehealth to combat...more
The Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is tomorrow: Saturday, October 26. This day has evolved over the years to address the growing opioid crisis, including misuse and abuse of unused...more
INTRODUCTION - A wave of recent indictments unsealed against opioid distributors and their executives signifies that the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) has embarked on a criminal crackdown after years of civil...more
Rochester Drug Co-Operative, Inc. (“RDC”), one of the 10 largest pharmaceutical distributors in the United States, was recently charged along with its former Chief Executive Officer and former Chief Compliance Officer, for...more
The national opioid epidemic is almost unprecedented in every conceivable way—its catastrophic death toll, its broad effect on a wide swath of this country’s population, its rapid escalation (which is alleged to have been...more
An estimated 400,000 Americans have died due to opioid drug overdoses between 1999 and 2017 — and the fatalities only are increasing. By 2025, according to expert forecasts, there will be 700,000 more opioid deaths....more
U.S. Attorney’s Offices (“USAOs”) across the country are issuing warning letters to physicians and other prescribers (collectively, “Prescribers”) cautioning them about their opioid prescribing practices (the “Warning...more
The opioid crisis in America is now well known, affecting a staggering number of people directly or indirectly and occupying a regular place in media reports and political discussions. In addition to potential public health...more
Recent reports of scams targeting physicians and pharmacies serve as reminders to providers and health care organizations to be cautious when receiving unusual communications purportedly from the Drug Enforcement Agency...more
The opioid epidemic is different than other drug related social problems because, in many cases, addiction to opioids starts in the medical office or in the pharmacy; in most cases through the treatment of legitimate physical...more
On October 26, 2016, the California Board of Pharmacy adopted regulations largely tracking the federal Drug Enforcement Administration’s program encouraging pharmacies to voluntarily collect and dispose of unwanted, unused or...more