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Prescription drug charges send pill mill participants to prison

Doctors are supposed to have the best interests of patients in mind and even take an oath not to harm their patients. However, authorities accused one Georgia doctor of failing to live up to that oath when he was charged with colluding to sell prescription medications to people with no medical need for them. Recently, he was convicted of prescription drug charges along with seven other people.

According to reports, the doctor joined a clinic whose owner was accused of opening the business for the express purpose of running a pill mill. Officials say they became suspicious because even though the clinic was only open for two days a week, a large number of prescriptions for opiates were handed out. Investigators claimed that many of the doctor’s patients were drug dealers and/or users.

Prescriptions for controlled medications were written for patients who then filled them. The drugs were then sold. The clinic changed locations often — supposedly to avoid detection. Numerous federal, state and local law enforcement agencies participated in the investigation that ultimately led to the arrests.

In cases involving prescription drug charges such as these federal charges here in Georgia, the evidence might be so overwhelming that risking going to trial could result in severe penalties. Once the criminal defense team of an accused reviews the evidence and witness statements, it might be determined that another route would provide a better outcome. Ultimately, the goal is to provide the client with a resolution that provides the least impact on the life of the individual accused of wrongdoing. In some cases, that means negotiating a plea deal with prosecutors.

Source: mdjonline.com, “Doctor, 7 others sentenced in Buckhead pill mill case“, Feb. 24, 2017