RICHMOND, Va. - A Richmond physician has agreed to pay $50,000 in civil penalties for allegedly issuing prescriptions in violation of the Controlled Substances Act.
The government alleged that, in 2019, Dr. Salman Akbar, 55, issued seven prescriptions for tramadol, a Schedule IV opioid, and lorazepam, a Schedule IV benzodiazepine, to an undercover Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force Officer over the course of four visits to Akbar’s office. The government alleged that Akbar issued the prescriptions outside the usual course of professional practice in Virginia, and not for a legitimate medical purpose.
The Controlled Substances Act regulates individuals and companies that manufacture, distribute, and dispense controlled substances. The law aims to protect public health and safety from the dangers posed by highly addictive or dangerous controlled substances, including the diversion or improper use of such substances, while also ensuring that patients have access to pharmaceutical controlled substances for legitimate medical purposes.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia and the DEA’s Washington Division- Richmond District Office.
The matter was investigated by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Ilene Albala and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert McIntosh. The civil claims settled by this agreement are allegations only; there has been no admission of civil liability.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
