Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
A Worcester psychiatrist has been sentenced in federal court for illegally prescribing controlled substances. Mohamad Och, 69, received four years of probation and a $30,000 fine from U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman after being convicted in November 2023 on three counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.
Och owned and operated Island Counseling Center in Worcester and practiced psychiatry at other locations in Massachusetts, including Nantucket. He was authorized to prescribe Schedule II-IV controlled substances.
According to evidence presented at trial, Och prescribed combinations of benzodiazepines and stimulants outside the usual course of professional practice and without legitimate medical purpose. Between August 2016 and February 2017, he knowingly issued prescriptions for Adderall, a Schedule II amphetamine, and Xanax, a Schedule IV benzodiazepine, to undercover federal agents. The trial highlighted that amphetamines carry significant risks for abuse and cardiovascular complications, while mixing depressants like Xanax with stimulants such as Adderall can be dangerous.
The court found that Och provided these medications without conducting proper psychiatric evaluations or obtaining prior medical records. He also failed to administer diagnostic tests or discuss medication side effects with the undercover agents—even though his medical records indicated otherwise.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley stated: “Mohamad Och abused his position as a licensed psychiatrist by distributing highly addictive drugs without regard for patient safety or the law.” Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Division added: “This sentence demonstrates our commitment to holding medical professionals accountable when they violate their oath and put communities at risk.” Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division said: “Doctors who misuse their prescription privileges undermine trust in the healthcare system.” Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General noted: “We will continue working with our partners to protect patients from those who would exploit them for personal gain.”
Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Mulcahy and Kaitlin R. O’Donnell prosecuted the case.
