A former Battle Creek, Mich., physician agreed to pay $705,075 to settle controlled substance allegations, the Justice Department announced Aug. 28.
What happened?
- Shekhar Thakur, MD, was accused of prescribing opioids and other controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of practice.
- The government alleged Dr. Thakur routinely prescribed Schedule II opioids without verifying patients’ conditions through exams, records or testing and prescribed dangerous combinations of opioids and benzodiazepine.
- He also allegedly issued prescriptions despite signs of abuse or diversion, such as failed drug screens showing illicit use or non-use of prescribed medications.
- Dr. Thakur agreed to the settlement in exchange for dismissal of the case, without admitting liability. He lost his medical licenses in 2022 and 2023, and in 2020 voluntarily surrendered his DEA registration. As part of the settlement, he agreed never to reapply for DEA prescribing authority.
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