Press Release
Wellesley Physician Agrees to Pay $25,000 to Resolve Allegations that he Violated Controlled Substances Act
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts
BOSTON – A Wellesley plastic surgeon has agreed to pay $25,000 to resolve allegations that he provided controlled substances to family members outside the usual course of his professional practice and failed to maintain records and accurate inventories of controlled substances.
Arthur Shektman, M.D., a plastic surgeon practicing in Wellesley, has agreed to pay $25,000 to resolve allegations that he violated the Controlled Substances Act by dispensing controlled substances outside the usual course of his professional practice and by failing to maintain complete and accurate inventories of controlled substances.
“The proper handling of prescriptions is a critical part of patient safety and crucial to preventing drug diversion,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “This office will continue to ensure that DEA registrants meet federal recordkeeping requirements, whether they are solo physician practices or large pharmacy chains.”
“DEA registrants are responsible for handling controlled substances responsibly and ensuring that complete and accurate records are being properly kept and accounted for in compliance with the Controlled Substance Act,” said Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Boston Field Division. “We are committed to working with our law enforcement and regulatory partners to ensure that these rules and regulations are followed.”
According to the allegations in the settlement, on two occasions, Dr. Shektman provided controlled substances to two family members outside the usual course of his professional practice. Dr. Shektman also allegedly failed to maintain records pertaining to Schedules III-V controlled substances and failed to maintain complete and accurate inventories of controlled substances.
Dr. Shektman cooperated with the federal investigation and has agreed to pay $25,000 to resolve the government’s allegations. He has also agreed to enter into a three-year Memorandum of Agreement with the DEA to come into compliance with the recordkeeping requirements of the Controlled Substances Act.
U.S. Attorney Lelling and DEA SAC Boyle made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Ross of Lelling’s Civil Division handled the case.
Updated June 26, 2020
Topic
Prescription Drugs
Component