Wayne Doctor Illegally Prescribed Thousands Of Opioids: AG

WAYNE, PA – A psychiatrist from Tredyffrin Township is accused of illegally prescribing nearly 25,000 opioid pills to various "pain management" patients despite not being certified to do so, according to Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro.

Dr. Bruce Lief, 77, of Wayne, has been charged with violations of the Controlled Substance Act and related offenses for allegedly illegally prescribing 24,990 Oxycodone, OxyContin, Methadone and other pills to at least four patients, Shapiro's office announced.

Lief, who practices in Philadelphia, was arrested March 6 after an investigation that began with a tip from a Whitemarsh, Montgomery County pharmacist.

The pharmacist noticed an opioid prescription from Lief was routinely dropped off and picked up by the son or daughter-in-law of a patient who was in a senior living facility — and received pain and other medication directly from the facility's staff, the AG's office said.

"Because of this pharmacist’s vigilance, our agents and Whitemarsh police were able to identify a doctor engaging in illegal prescriptions," Shapiro said. "We’re asking pharmacists and medical professionals across our Commonwealth: If you see something, say something. My office will act on your information and investigate."

When interviewed by authorities, Lief allegedly told investigators he also operated a "pain management" practice in addition to his psychiatric practice, authorities said.

Lief also told investigators he was prescribing opioids to the aforementioned patient's son as well, the AG's office said.

In a second interview with investigators, Lief admitted he was not certified to practice pain management, but believed he was competent to prescribe pain medication, authorities said.

While agents were present, one of Lief’s pain management patients arrived and dropped off $240 in cash to pay for a "prior visit," according to the AG's office.

Lief told investigators many of his pain management clients paid in cash. The doctor admitted to prescribing an "excessive amount of opioids" and said he needed the money to pay bills, Shapiro's office said.

Lief is being charged in Chester County and is free on $100,000 unsecured bail, court records show.

He is slated for a preliminary hearing on April 20, according to court documents.

Lief will be prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Daniel Sweeney, according to the AG's office.

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