Michael Gainey, MD, a physician in Cynthia, Ky., was sentenced to 80 months in prison for unlawfully distributing controlled substances.
Practicing as a family medicine specialist, Dr. Gainey treated and prescribed controlled substances to a number of patients who were outside the scope of legitimate medical practice, according to a July 30 news release from the Justice Department.
Dr. Gainey had a personal relationship with at least seven of the patients to whom he issued prescriptions for drugs including hydrocodone, oxycodone and gabapentin.
Dr. Gainey previously pleaded guilty to seven counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance. He must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence and will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years following his release, according to the Justice Department.
