Drug diversion refers to the unlawful distribution or dispensing of prescription drugs, either by individuals or organizations. It can occur in several ways, such as a healthcare professional who prescribes drugs to patients who don't need them, or a pharmacist filling prescriptions that were obtained fraudulently.
Drug diversion is illegal because it is a form of drug trafficking and can lead to the abuse or misuse of powerful and potentially dangerous drugs. In addition, it undermines the integrity of the healthcare system and can put patients at risk.
Pittsburgh man sentenced in drug diversion case.
As reported by the Western District of Pennsylvania branch of the United States Department of Justice last week, a Pittsburgh man was sentenced in federal court. He was facing charges of drug diversion and health care fraud. 38 year-old, Larry J. Goisse was sentenced to 24 months in prison. They are to be followed by three years of supervised release.
Back on October 4, 2022, Goisse pled guilty to one count of an Indictment charging him with drug diversion, and five counts of an Information charging him with health care fraud. As part of the guilty plea, Goisse admitted that between September 2018 and January 2019, he illegally prescribed the scheduled drug Adderall.
Adderall is a highly addictive drug.
It can cause harm if incorrectly prescribed. It is a stimulant medication that contains two active ingredients: amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. These are both powerful central nervous system stimulants that increase the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine and norepinephrine. Adderall is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, a sleep disorder.
Adderall can have serious side effects when used improperly. When taken in large doses or for non-medical reasons, Adderall can cause a number of dangerous symptoms including high blood pressure, heart palpitations, seizures, and even death. As well, people who misuse Adderall can become psychologically dependent on the drug, leading to addiction.
The drug can also be dangerous when mixed with other substances such as alcohol, antidepressants or other stimulants. These combinations can cause severe interactions which can lead to serious health risks, including death. Adderall is a controlled substance, which means it requires a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional. It should only be used under the close supervision of a doctor and should not be shared with others.
Goisse is a former certified nurse practitioner.
Prior to the time span when his crimes were being committed, Goisse had his state medical license revoked. He had also lost his DEA registration. Therefore, in order to continue to receive payments from Medicare, Goisse submitted claims to Medicare for office visits under a co-worker’s license after suspension.
“Goisse’s conduct in diverting Adderall created a serious harm beyond monetary loss and that Goisse’s actions had a destructive effect on his patients relying on him for health care,” explains the DoJ.
Are you an attorney who is currently working a health care fraud case?
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