What Happened
In August 2024, Daniel Rubino, M.D., of Devon, Pennsylvania, agreed to pay $8,000 to resolve allegations that he violated the Controlled Substances Act by dispensing Schedule III and IV controlled substances without an effective prescription for a legitimate medical purpose. DEA investigators found that between March 2020 and December 2022 he wrote approximately 44 prescriptions to himself for buprenorphine and eszopiclone while treating patients at his office. There were no initial assessments, reevaluations or routine monthly visits. As part of the settlement, Rubino entered a two-year Memorandum of Agreement with the DEA imposing stricter compliance obligations on his handling of controlled substances.
“Rubino was self-prescribing Schedule III and IV medications while he treated patients at his medical office, specifically buprenorphine and eszopiclone”
Related Guidance
- 15 Red Flags of Drug Diversion — Behavioral and transactional indicators of diversion.
- Investigation Playbook — How to investigate suspected diversion inside an organization.