Doylestown Doctor Sent To Prison For Improperly Prescribing Opioids

DOYLESTOWN, PA — A Doylestown doctor has been sentenced to prison for unlawfully prescribing highly addictive opioid medications to patients in his care.

Dr. Richard Alan Kondan, 59, received a two to six year state prison sentence from Bucks County Common Pleas Judge Gary B. Gilman on Monday, Nov. 28. Judge Gilman also ordered Kondan to perform 200 hours of community service as part of his parole.

In March, Kondan entered a nolo contendere plea to a felony count of unlawful prescription of a controlled substance by a practitioner.

The joint investigation was conducted by the Office of Attorney General and Bucks County Detectives Drug Strike Force, which was created in 2017 to fight the opioid crisis.

Charges against Kondan were recommended by a Bucks County Investigating Grand Jury.

The investigation found that Kondan failed to prescribe controlled substances in accordance with accepted treatment principles. He also failed to keep accurate medical records supporting the high volume of controlled substances that he prescribed.

According to prosecutors, he increased dosages of oxycodone without noting appropriate medical justification, and frequently authorized refills without physical examinations or office visits. It was also discovered that he regularly prescribed many patients dangerous combinations of oxycodone and other prescription medication.

For some patients, Kondan used these reckless prescribing practices for as long as 16 years, prosecutors said.

District Attorney Matt Weintraub said Kondan’s conduct “endangered the very people he was sworn to make well.”

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro added, “Dr. Kondan used his position of trust and authority to recklessly prescribe addictive medications that are fueling the opioid crisis in Pennsylvania. He showed too little regard for the health and safety of his patients.

“Today’s sentence holds Dr. Kondan accountable for his actions and ensures that he will no longer be a source of these dangerous drugs. My office will continue to hold individuals accountable who put the lives of others at risk,” he added.

Senior Deputy Attorney General Christie Bonesch and Bucks County Deputy District Attorney Thomas C. Gannon co-prosecuted the case.