From January 2008 through January 2018, Lexington-based psychiatrist Rahim Shafa, MD, 66, was a part of a scheme where he purchased naltrexone pellet implants and disulfiram pellet implants and injections from Hong Kong, according to a Feb. 9 news release. While these drugs are approved by the FDA for alcohol and opioid dependence treatment, the pellet form of these substances are not.
Dr. Shafa falsified documents to conceal the packages containing the drugs —- including declaring the implants as plastic beads in plastic tubes, according to the report.
He sold these drugs to patients of his practice and implanted them without understanding the risks. Patients at the trial testified regarding the complications they received from the implantation procedure.
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.