Berlin Medical Practice Fined For Improper Opioid Prescriptions: Feds

BERLIN, CT — A Berlin-based medical practice paid the federal government a $300,000 fine to settle allegations of improperly prescribing addictive and dangerous opioids.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, U.S. attorney for Connecticut, and Stephen P. Belleau, acting special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, made the announcement Thursday.

According to federal officials, Dr. Steven Shifreen, Physician Assistant Christopher Norval, and Multicare Musculoskeletal Medicine and Pain Management Associates entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal government.

They said the outfit has paid a total of $300,000 to resolve allegations they violated the civil provisions of the Controlled Substances Act.

Avery said Shifreen, a physician specializing in general medicine, and Norval, a physician assistant, practiced at Multicare Musculoskeletal Medicine and Pain Management Associates, a medical practice located in Berlin currently owned by Norval.

According to Avery, It is alleged that Shifreen and Norval prescribed controlled substances to patients who were "exhibiting signs of potential diversion and drug abuse through their inconsistent urine drug test results."

Authorities said an inconsistent urine drug test result occurs when a patient tests positive for unexpected, non-prescribed substances in the urine, or tests negative for expected, prescribed substances.

This, officials said, can be indicative of diversion or drug abuse.

The settlement resolves allegations that between March 23, 2021, and February 14, 2023, Shifreen and Norval issued 43 prescriptions to six patients for oxycodone and/or fentanyl.

These prescriptions were each issued after the patient received a urine test result that was inconsistent with the medication he or she was prescribed, authorities said.

"The government contends that these 43 prescriptions were issued without a legitimate medical purpose and were written outside the usual course of professional practice, in violation of the CSA," wrote Avery in a release.

In passing the CSA, Congress took steps to regulate every facet of the handling of the substances – from their manufacture to their consumption by the ultimate user – as part of an initiative to combat opioid abuse in the country.

“When medical practitioners prescribe controlled substances to patients who are showing signs of misuse or diversion, not only are they likely violating the law, but those medical practitioners are putting their patients at risk of overdose, and threatening the safety of our community,” said Avery in a statement. “This settlement demonstrates this office’s commitment to holding practitioners accountable for irresponsible prescribing.”

“The DEA is committed to ensuring that all registrants are in compliance with the required regulations, which are enforceable through the Controlled Substances Act,” said Belleau in a release.

“Failure to do so increases the potential for diversion and jeopardizes public health and public safety. DEA pledges to work with our law enforcement and regulatory partners to ensure these rules and regulations are followed.”

On March 10, 2023, Shifreen and Norval voluntarily surrendered their DEA registrations to prescribe controlled substances, authorities said.

As part of the settlement agreement, Shifreen and Norval will not re-apply for DEA registration numbers for a period of five years, Avery said.

For the full announcement, click on this link.