Five Memphis doctors, nurses indicted in federal opioid sting
Three Memphis-area doctors and two nurses have been indicted as part of one of the country’s largest federal drug busts for illegal distribution of prescription opioids.
A total of 53 doctors and other medical professionals nationwide were charged earlier this week, including the five Memphis doctors and nurses, for their alleged participation in distributing illegal opioids and other narcotics. Sixteen doctors and medical professionals in West Tennessee were charged in the sweep, said Michael Dunavant, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.
“Opioid misuse and abuse is an insidious epidemic, created in large part by the over-prescribing of potent opioids nationwide, and unfortunately Tennessee is at the center,” Dunavant said. “We will not stand by and allow the harmful and oftentimes deadly practice of over-prescribing highly addictive drugs to continue unchecked.”
Dr. Richard Farmer, 82, a psychiatrist in East Memphis, was arrested April 17. He is accused of writing nine prescriptions for opioids including oxycodone and hydrocodone to five patients in 2018 and 2017, “often in exchange for sexual favors or companionship,” according to the indictment. He is also accused of distributing opioids to a pregnant woman.
Read more: https://dailymemphian.com/section/metro/article/4600/Five-Memphis-doctors-nurses-indicted-in-federal-opioid-sting