Government investigating Wisconsin pain clinic suspected of being a pill mill — 5 insights

Federal officials are investigating a pain clinic in Wauwatosa, Wis., under suspicion of operating as a pill mill, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

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Here’s what you should know.

1. Wauwatosa Pain Management Clinic — now known as Universal Pain Center — is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

2. The clinic is accused of prescribing thousands of oxycodone pills to cash-paying patients.

3. Two nurse practitioners who admitted to improperly prescribing narcotics at the clinic were reprimanded by the Wisconsin board of nursing. A physician at the clinic claimed he was fired after refusing to prescribe opioids.

4. Although the investigation was revealed in court records, a U.S. attorney declined comment on whether it was a criminal investigation.

5. The clinic was founded by a roofer who had no medical training and a nurse practitioner. Former employees suggest the roofer encouraged the excessive prescription practices. The roofer eventually bought out the nurse practitioner and partnered with NuMale Medical in Milwaukee. A representative of NuMale Medical would not discuss Wauwatosa Pain Management.

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