An orthopedic surgeon and an internal medicine specialist in Tennessee have been charged in federal court with illegally distributing thousands of opioids across the state line, Clarksville Now reported Feb. 22.
Five details:
1. John Stanton, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and pain management specialist, and James Maccarone, DO, an internist, allegedly prescribed at least 46,060 opioids illegally from July 2016 to about March 2021.
2. Dr. Maccarone owned and operated Gateway Medical Associates in Clarksville, Tenn., where Dr. Stanton served as medical director from July 2016 to late 2020, according to the report. The clinic is now closed.
3. Prosecutors accused both physicians of disregarding professional standards for the prescription of opioids, prescribing dangerous quantities and combinations, and writing prescriptions for patients exhibiting "obvious signs of drug diversion and abuse," according to court documents.
4. Dr. Maccarone pleaded guilty Jan. 24 to conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances. He has agreed to forfeit more than $200,000 from three bank accounts and pay an additional $1.3 million judgment. Dr. Stanton pleaded not guilty.
5. Both physicians' licenses have been revoked.