What Happened
Dr. Dzung Ahn Pham, 61, of Tustin, California, who owned Irvine Village Urgent Care, pleaded guilty in October 2022 to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. In his plea agreement he admitted writing prescriptions from January 2013 to December 2018 for about 53,693 oxycodone pills, 68,795 hydrocodone pills and 29,286 amphetamine salts pills, filled using 18 patient names, without a legitimate medical purpose. Pharmacist Jennifer Thaoyen Nguyen of Bristol Pharmacy agreed to plead guilty to the same charge. The crime carries a 20-year maximum, and Pham's sentencing was scheduled for January 6, 2023.
“Pham admitted that he acted with the intent to distribute the drugs outside the course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose.”
Related Guidance
- 15 Red Flags of Drug Diversion — Behavioral and transactional indicators of diversion.
- Investigation Playbook — How to investigate suspected diversion inside an organization.