Main Line Care Providers Fined For Improper Opioid Prescriptions

Two healthcare providers on the Main Line agreed to pay more than $100,000 after being accused of improperly prescribing thousands of opioid overdoses to a deceased patient, according to federal authorities.

United States Attorney William M. McSwain said Stephen Humbert, D.O. and Raymond Ferraro, P.A., who both work in Havertown, have agreed to pay the United States a total of $112,500 to resolve allegations that they improperly prescribed opioids to one of their former patients, according to

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted an investigation regarding oxycodone and fentanyl that were prescribed to a deceased patient, officials said. The investigation revealed that Humbert and Ferraro collectively prescribed approximately 4,000 pills of oxycodone and over 200 patches of fentanyl to the deceased patient for over a year, according to authorities.

After the DEA launched the investigation, Humbert and Ferraro cooperated with federal investigators, officials said. In addition to the monetary settlement, Humbert and Ferraro have agreed to an administrative agreement with the DEA that requires regular reporting of their prescriptions for controlled substances and new policies for their opioid patients, according to authorities.

"Given the opioid epidemic that our society is facing, it is critical for practitioners to prescribe opioids with caution and discretion," McSwain said. "While our Office appreciates the cooperation that these two healthcare providers gave in the midst of the investigation, this resolution serves as an important reminder to all healthcare providers that they must exercise caution and judgment in prescribing these dangerous substances."

"The DEA will continue to investigate any report of a doctor or other registrant misusing or abusing their privilege to prescribe controlled substances," said Jon Wilson, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA's Philadelphia Field Division. "In addition to criminal sanctions, the DEA can impose administrative restrictions and pursue civil fines against registrants that are involved in the improper prescription of controlled substances as was done in this investigation."

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Anthony D. Scicchitano handled the matter.

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