Doctors beware. Government prosecutors are fighting the opiate epidemic on many fronts. Now more than ever local police in coordination with DEA and Commonwealth Attorney General drug enforcement investigators are investigating doctors for writing unreasonable amounts...
Firm News
The PHMP, Kevin Knipe, Pharmacy Board, and an Abuse of Discretion
The PHMP, it's caseworkers, and director Kevin Knipe's treatment of licensees is a major topic of my blogs and website. I routinely field inquiries regarding false positive drug tests, chain of custody issues, and other PHMP claimed violations. How do I get out of the...
Should I report a crime if the statute of limitations expired?
Individuals who are subject to professional licensing are often required to self-report the criminal charges that are issued against them. Certain crimes and convictions may be weighed against them and can threaten one's ability to attain and retain his or her license...
Finishing the PHMP Term — Returning to an Unrestricted Health Care Practice
How do you get out of Pennsylvania's Professional Health Monitoring Program ("PHMP"). The PHMP administers both the Voluntary Recovery Program "VRP" and the Disciplinary Monitoring Program ("DMU"). As a licensed professional voluntarily enrolled in the PHMP - VRP - or...
Multiple medical professionals sentenced on federal charges
Doctors take an oath to do no harm in the execution of their professional duties. This can mean that they engage in different courses of treatment based upon the specific needs and wishes of their patients. Because they are licensed and bound to certain standards of...
What is a Petition for Appropriate Relief
A Petition for Appropriate Relief ("PAR") is a licensing board prosecution motion, presented to a licensing board committee, alleging an emergent need to suspend a licensee's license. PARs target licensees currently on PHMP disciplinary probation, whether a voluntary...
Marijuana Impaired Drivers — The DRE Revisited — Costs
In recent weeks, the New Jersey Legislature has identified cannabis-impaired drivers, which will require training hundreds of new Drug Recognition Experts -- as a cost that is potentially crippling to smaller municipalities. Several New Jersey Municipal Court...
Dr. Marijuana — Has Lost His New Jersey Medical License
The Philadelphia Inquirer announces New Jersey Medical Board suspends the medical license of Anthony Anzalone, M.D. -- Dr. Marijuana. This is the region's first medical license suspension case involving a physician violating newly enacted medical marijuana...
Possible defenses to alleged drug crimes
An arrest based on alleged criminal conduct can be detrimental to anyone's future. However, in Pennsylvania medical professionals who are licensed by the state may face the loss of their right to practice if they are convicted of certain crimes. While individuals in...
Pennsylvania’s New DUI Law
Pennsylvania's revised DUI law provides for substantially increased jail time and penalties for individuals convicted of DUI on a DUI related license suspension, kill innocent victims while drunk driving, and repeat DUI offenders. Penalties are also increased for...