Sometimes, pharmaceutical companies give free prescription drug samples to doctors. It is illegal for doctors to sell such free samples. Being accused of such illegal conduct can lead to significant consequences for a doctor. Recently, such allegations led to a 77-year-old man from McDonald who worked as a family doctor voluntarily surrendering his medical license and being given probation, community service and a fine.
Authorities alleged that, for several years, the man sold patients free drug samples that were given to him by sales representatives of pharmaceutical companies. The man was charged in relation to these allegations and, last November, he pled guilty in the case.
In February, the man decided to voluntarily permanently surrender his medical license.
Last week, the man was given his sentence. He was sentenced to 200 hours of community service and one year of probation and was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.
The illegal sale of free drug samples is one of many prescription-drug-related crimes that physicians are sometimes accused of. Prescription drug crime allegations can lead to a doctor’s medical license being in danger. Sometimes, a doctor facing such allegations will opt to voluntarily surrender their license, perhaps as part of a deal with prosecutors or the medical board. Other times, a doctor will opt to fight to keep their license. Many different things can impact what option is the best for a given doctor. License defense attorneys can go over the situation and options with Pennsylvania doctors who are facing potentially losing their license in relation to prescription drug crime allegations and can give them advice regarding how to proceed.
Source: TribLive.com, “Former McDonald doctor sentenced for selling drug samples to patients,” Brian Bowling, March 7, 2014