A Michigan physician has had his license suspended after the state says he overprescribed commonly abused and diverted controlled substances, such as oxycodone, for other than lawful medical purposes.
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) filed a complaint that alleges that Dr. Neri traveled from his home in Rogers City to clinics in Sterling Heights and Detroit to write prescriptions for large quantities of controlled substances based on patient requests for specific commonly abused drugs, rather than medical necessity.
In 2015, Dr. Neri was the 2nd highest prescriber of oxycodone 30 mg in Michigan, surpassed only by Livonia-area physician Fanny A. Dela Cruz, M.D. LARA summarily suspended Dr. Dela Cruz’s license on March 3, 2016 based also on allegations of overprescribing. In 2015 alone, Dr. Neri and Dr. Dela Cruz each authorized prescriptions for more than 400,000 tablets of oxycodone 30 mg, which have an estimated street value of $10-$40 per tablet.
“It is unfortunate when licensed practitioners violate the trust of the people that they are supposed to care for and treat when a vast majority of us honor the commitment made to protecting and saving lives,” said Dr. Peter Graham, Chairman of the Board of Medicine.
An important recommendation from Governor Snyder’s Michigan Prescription Drug and Opioid Abuse Task Force called for a more comprehensive enforcement program against licensed health professionals who participate in overprescribing.
As a result, LARA and the Department of Attorney General in January began a collaborative effort to identify, investigate and seek enhanced sanctions against licensed health care professionals who overprescribe dangerous drugs, such as opiates, for other than lawful medical purposes. The pilot program is currently working closely with the health professional boards who regulate prescribers, such as the Board of Medicine and the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery.
“This program aims to put a stop to the serious health problem of overprescribing and the medical professionals who abuse their trust and authority,” said LARA Director Mike Zimmer.
“There is no room in the health professions for those who enable drug seeking behaviors that can and do lead to addiction,” said Attorney General Bill Schuette. “An intense focus on identifying and sanctioning these individuals is an essential step to eliminating the prescription drug abuse epidemic in the state of Michigan and across the country.”
