Doctor Ordered To Pay $296,000 in Civil Penalties for Controlled Substances Violations

After a non-jury trial, United States District Court Judge John E. Dowdell entered a Judgment yesterday in the amount of $296,000 against Darnell E. Blackmon, M.D., for 430 violations of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act.  The violations occurred while Dr. Blackmon was the Medical Director of Enhanced Skin and Body Medical Spa.

Judge Dowdell found that Dr. Blackmon permitted registered nurses to examine and determine the type and course of treatment for patients, and prescribe and/or administer testosterone and phentermine (controlled substances) in his absence and without the presence of another licensed physician.  All of this occurred outside the course of his professional practice and with no doctor-patient relationship, as required by the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act. Additionally, the Court found Dr. Blackmon failed to obtain a Drug Enforcement Administration registration for the dispensing activities at the spa and failed to maintain controlled substance records as required by the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act.

“Any healthcare practitioner who violates the law and puts the public’s health and safety at risk should know we will use all tools at our disposal to hold them accountable as the gatekeepers to controlled substances. This Judgment should alert all practitioners to their responsibilities under the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act,” said United States Attorney Shores.

The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Marianne Hardcastle.