Feds Now Using Civil Injunctions to Block Opioid Prescribers

Friday, November 2, 2018 | 0

A federal judge has permanently barred an Akron doctor from practicing medicine or prescribing opioids.

The injunction against Dr. Michael Tricaso comes almost three months after the physician permanently surrendered his license to practice, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Ohio.

U.S. District Judge Sara Lioi in August issued a temporary restraining order against Tricaso, who operated the Better Living Clinic of Akron, after a civil lawsuit against him by federal prosecutors. After that, the doctor surrendered his authority to prescribe controlled substances and gave up his license, the bulletin explained. Last week, the judge followed up with the permanent injunction.

The civil action is a new approach for federal prosecutors, who have launched criminal investigations and filed charges against physicians and pharmacies all around the country in the last two years. The August court order against Tricaso, in fact, was the first-ever civil injunction under the Controlled Substances Act, the news release said.

Authorities said Tricaso was caught selling controlled substances and writing opioid prescriptions to a confidential informant in a hotel parking lot. The drugs, including oxycodone, were addictive and were considered medically unnecessary.

“Some drug dealers work on street corners; others operate from a doctor’s office,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “Tricaso illegally prescribed painkillers and other drugs for no legitimate medical purpose. Putting so-called physicians like these out of business is one of several steps we are taking to turn the tide on the opioid and drug crisis that has caused so much death and heartbreak in our community.”