Mission Viejo Doctor Admits Drug Scheme, Reaches Deal

A Mission Viejo physician who admitted to letting someone use his name and credentials to buy out-of-state drugs shipped out of the country in exchange for a monthly fee has agreed to a settlement with the state medical board.

Dr. Joseph Emil Barrera admitted to receiving $1,000 per month in exchange for letting an unlicensed person use his name, California medical license number and DEA registration number to purchase drugs from an out-of- state pharmacy to be delivered to a California address, then subsequently shipped out of the country, according to a settlement and disciplinary order that became effective Friday evening.

As part of the settlement, Barrera -- a board certified physician who specializes in internal medicine -- must successfully complete a course in prescribing practices and a course in ethics. Both courses must be approved by the Medical Board of California, and failure to complete them within the designated time could result in further disciplinary action.

Also as part of the settlement, Barrera must donate almost $43,000 to a board-approved not-for-profit group that provides health care to an underserved California community.

At least $24,000 of that amount is due in September, according to court papers.

The remainder of the money must be paid by the end of the year. Barrera graduated from UC Davis School of Medicine and has been a physician since November 1988.

- City News Service