What Happened
A federal court issued a temporary restraining order in October 2022 barring Phoenix Medical Management Care Centers Inc., a Tarpon Springs, Florida, pain clinic, its operators and a doctor from administering, dispensing or distributing controlled substances, including opioid prescriptions. The United States alleged in a complaint that Dr. Vivian Herrero, a licensed pediatrician, and operators Christopher and Patricia Ferguson used the clinic to unlawfully issue controlled substance prescriptions. The complaint alleged that two patients died soon after receiving opioid prescriptions from Herrero. The complaint seeks civil penalties and a permanent injunction, and its claims are allegations the government must prove.
“prohibiting a Tampa-area clinic, its operators and a doctor from administering, dispensing or distributing any controlled substances”
Related Guidance
- 15 Red Flags of Drug Diversion — Behavioral and transactional indicators of diversion.
- Investigation Playbook — How to investigate suspected diversion inside an organization.