DEA Suspension Defense Attorney
Both federal and state law enforcement agencies are aggressively pursuing physicians they believe are violating controlled substances acts and prescription writing laws. Usually, law enforcement officials will institute an "inspection" or search and seizure on a physician's office, after an investigation has already been conducted by both state licensing authorities and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Physicians, pharmacists and staff members may be arrested during such a visit. There will usually be Emergency Suspension Orders that will be served by the DEA to suspend DEA registrations and numbers of pharmacists, physicians and clinics. Orders to Show Cause why a DEA registration should not be revoked may also be served.
DEA show cause hearings will be held before a federal administrative law judge who will decide if a physician's continued ability to write prescriptions is against the public interest and should be revoked. DEA hearings are complex federal administrative hearings.
Before such hearings are held, the DEA agents will almost always ask a physician to "voluntarily" give up their DEA registration and number. The agents will have a form already prepared for the physician to sign. DO NOT DO THIS. The agents will advise the physician that they can always apply to renew their DEA registration later. However, obtaining a new DEA registration number after it is relinquished is extremely difficult since it is treated virtually the same as if it had been revoked.
A voluntary relinquishment of a medical or pharmacy license in these circumstances will be treated similarly to a revocation of a DEA license. It will be reported to the National Practitioner Data Base (NPDB). It will be reported to any other states where the practitioner is licensed. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) will commence proceedings to suspend the practitioner and then exclude them from the Medicare/Medicaid and all other federal and state health care programs. If excluded from these programs, you will also be automatically debarred or excluded from all other federal government contracting (usually for life). Proceedings will be commenced to suspend or exclude you from the state Medicaid Program, as well.
There are many other career-ending and life-changing consequences to such actions. It is crucial that the health care practitioner immediately retain the services of a qualified attorney who has experience in such matters. You need an experienced health law attorney who is familiar with professional licensure matters and has represented health professionals in both state and federal administrative proceedings. The lawyers of the Law Offices of Jeffrey C. Grass represent doctors, pharmacists, advanced registered nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinics and other health providers in such matters. We have experience in appearing before the following:
- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- The Board of Medicine
- The Board of Dentistry
- The Board of Pharmacy
- The Board of Nursing
- Other state and federal agencies
Contact a Data Bank Defense Attorney
To learn how we can help you protect your health care license, please contact us. We offer free initial consultations to prospective clients throughout the country. Based in our offices in Dallas and Plano, Texas, we regularly travel around the country to meet with clients. If you choose to retain us, we offer cost-effective service and accept credit cards for payment.
