Akron Doctor Charged for Illegally Distributing Prescription Painkillers

A criminal information was filed charging an Akron physician with illegally distributing tens of thousands of doses of prescription painkillers, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

Brian Heim, age 56, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and 20 counts of distribution of controlled substances.

“Our region is awash in opioids that have brought heartbreak and suffering to countless families,” Dettelbach said. “We will continue to work with the DEA to identify and prosecute physicians who illegally divert pills.”

Heim is registered with the State of Ohio Medical Board as a medical doctor specializing in family medicine, obstetrics and gynecology. From August 2011 through October 2012, Heim and others agreed to illegally distribute thousands of doses of prescription painkillers to customers from Heim’s office at 3562 Ridge Park Drive, Suite A, in Akron, according to the information.

Heim distributed and dispensed more than 30,000 tablets of Oxycodone, Oxycontin and Opana to various individuals for which there was not a legitimate medical purpose. He did this by one or more of the following manners: without adequate verification of the patient’s identity or medical complaint; without adequate and reliable patient medical history; without performance of a complete or adequate examination; without establishment of a true diagnosis; without the use of appropriate diagnostic or laboratory testing, and others, according to the information.

Heim and others did this by using pre-signed blank prescription forms upon which Heim’s staff would fill in the controlled substance and dosage to be prescribed, according to the information.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vasilie C. Katsaros following an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after a review of the federal sentencing guidelines and factors unique to the case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record (if any), the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.

A charge is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.