On December 28, 2017, a disciplinary panel of the Texas Medical Board temporarily restricted, with notice, the medical license of Joshua Kern, M.D., after determining his continuation in the unrestricted practice of medicine posed a continuing threat to public welfare. TMB found that on November 1, 2017, Dr. Kern was arrested by the Dallas County Hospital [...]
I recently had a chance to attend the Texas Healthcare & Bioscience Institute's 2017 Fall Policy Summit. The event, held in Austin, brought together a number of stakeholders in the biotechnology sector. There are a number of pharmaceutical and medical device companies emerging from efforts in Texas. It is exciting to see the advancement of [...]
Opioids are drugs that act on the nervous system to relieve pain. Continued use and abuse can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms. Opana ER is among one of the many opioid drugs in the market today. Recently, FDA requested that the manufacturer voluntarily remove reformulated Opana ER from the market. FDA has made [...]
We recently had an opportunity to present on the topic, "Not Safe For Work", focusing on issues that healthcare providers face that can cause issues in their practices and offices. We covered issues related to inappropriate relationships with patients, office harassment, alcohol and substance abuse, patient communication and social media pitfalls. No sooner had we [...]
In Tennessee, eight workers plead guilty to federal drug conspiracy charges. Two of the workers were physicians. Federal prosecutors sought an grand jury indictment against the workers for "dealing drugs just like hustlers on the street peddling crack cocaine." Prosecutors say Breakthrough Pain Therapy Center in Maryville, Tenn., was no clinic at all. It had some [...]
The Drug Enforcement Administration ("DEA") has linked Dr. Randall Wade, a McKinney, Texas physician, to the deaths of at least six of his patients. DEA and federal prosecutors allege Dr. Wade was running a pill mill and prescribed massive amounts of powerful painkillers to patients who didn’t need them. Dr. Wade was indicted on drug distribution [...]
Most can remember hoping to get a visit from the tooth fairy during their childhood. You remember, don't you? When children lose one of their baby teeth, the tooth is placed underneath their pillow. While the children are asleep, the tooth fairy would visit, replacing the lost tooth with a small payment. One Atlanta area [...]
Nine defendants were arrested this week in connection with their roles in a $100 million health care fraud conspiracy perpetrated against TRICARE, the health insurance program for members of the military and their families. A tenth defendant surrendered to the FBI. The defendants, including doctors, pharmacy owners, and marketers were charged in a 35-count indictment [...]
When seeking reimbursement for medical services, it is important that the service be provided and that it be medically appropriate. That statement seems to make a lot of sense in theory. For some reason, healthcare providers have a hard time with applying the statement. A Houston doctor was recently made very familiar with the application [...]
On August 26, 2016, FDA announced new recommendations for universal testing of donated whole blood and blood components to determine whether the Zika virus is present. In an effort to protect the nation's blood supply, FDA is amending its prior guidance. FDA has expanded its recommendations for testing from simply those areas with active Zika transmission cases to [...]
