Indiana DEA Registration Defense Attorney

Lawyer Helping Medical Providers Address Issues Affecting Their Controlled Substance Registration

Medical professionals in the United States often work with controlled substances. Doctors may prescribe these drugs for patients, and pharmacists will fill these prescriptions. Physicians, surgeons, nurses, dentists, or other medical providers may administer controlled substances to patients while providing treatment. These providers are required to follow certain laws, rules, and procedures when working with controlled substances, and they will need to maintain a registration with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). If a provider is accused of failing to follow the proper procedures or otherwise violating the law, their DEA registration may be suspended or revoked. Enforcement actions by the DEA may affect a provider's ability to offer certain types of medical services, or they may face other consequences that may affect their medical license and overall career.

Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, or other professionals who need to address issues related to the DEA can protect their rights by working with an attorney who is experienced in these matters. The Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, LLC has assisted numerous clients in these types of cases, helping them respond to investigations, provide the proper records or other information, demonstrate their compliance with rules and laws related to the use of controlled substances, and defend against different forms of disciplinary action. We can also help medical providers address other issues that may be related to a DEA investigation, such as discipline to professional licenses or loss of Medicare/Medicaid enrollment.

Responding to DEA Enforcement Actions

The DEA regulates the legal use of controlled substances in the United States and takes steps to address the trafficking of illegal drugs. There are many reasons why the DEA may investigate a medical provider, but these investigations will often be based on suspicions that a person has violated the law, such as by issuing unlawful prescriptions, allowing controlled substances to be used for non-medical purposes, or otherwise engaging in drug diversion and drug trafficking.

Depending on the allegations against a provider, the severity of the violations they are accused of committing, and the potential threat to public safety, the DEA may take a number of different enforcement actions. If it believes that immediate action is necessary, the DEA may take steps to temporarily suspend or permanently revoke a provider's controlled substance registration. In these situations, DEA agents will often contact a provider and ask them to voluntarily surrender their registration in return for immunity against criminal prosecution or other forms of discipline. However, this may lead to a variety of other consequences, and a provider may have difficulty reapplying for a controlled substance registration in the future.

If a person refuses to surrender their registration, the DEA may proceed with the suspension or revocation process. In these cases, a provider will be served with an Order to Show Cause, and an administrative hearing will be held. These hearings are similar to courtroom trials, and a provider will have the chance to call witnesses and present evidence to show that they did not commit violations or provide explanations for the issues uncovered in an investigation. During these proceedings, a provider may be able to avoid a suspension or revocation by negotiating a settlement with the DEA or agreeing to a Corrective Action Plan.

Even if the DEA does not pursue a suspension or revocation, it may take other actions that may affect a provider. In some cases, the DEA may refuse to issue or renew a controlled substance registration, or it may impose fines for certain violations. The DEA may also refer a case to the Department of Justice and recommend that criminal charges for drug trafficking or other offenses be pursued.

Contact Our Indiana DEA Enforcement Action Defense Lawyer

Attorney Joseph Bogdan can help address issues related to a medical provider's DEA registration, as well as any other related consequences, such as medical license discipline. He will advise you on the best steps you can take to protect your ability to practice medicine or work with controlled substances, and he will provide you with strong and effective representation during investigations or hearings. Contact our firm at 463-219-2612 to schedule your free consultation today.