Physician Arrested for Selling Pain Killer Prescriptions for Cash
NEWARK - A physician whose license to practice had expired has been arrested for selling prescriptions for pain killers for cash, following an undercover investigation coordinated by Consumer Affairs' Enforcement Bureau in tandem with local and federal law enforcement agencies.
Ronald Rahman, whose license to practice medicine in New Jersey expired in 2005, was arrested on June 11 after undercover investigators purchased prescriptions from him for oxycodone-based drugs, including OxyContin, Roxicodone and Percocet. Rahman sold the prescriptions, written on New York State prescription forms, from his car.
The latest purchase from Rahman was the third made by undercover investigators this year. The investigation began after Consumer Affairs' Enforcement Bureau received information in early 2009 that Rahman was selling prescriptions for Controlled Dangerous Substances from his car at a location in Lindenwold.
“Rahman is an enabler, supplying drug abusers with dangerous pain killers for his own profit,” Attorney General Anne Milgram said. “I commend our Enforcement Bureau for its initial investigation and then working with other agencies once the full scope of Rahman's activities began to emerge.”
Rahman, who formerly had a medical license in New York, used prescription blanks with a bogus office location and his cellular phone number.
“We're committed to keeping these potentially dangerous drugs off the streets and protecting the public,” said David Szuchman, Consumer Affairs Director. “Rahman deceived pharmacies into dispensing these products, all for the purpose of enriching himself.”
The Enforcement Bureau contacted the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and the Waterford Township Police Department in Camden County for a joint investigation into Rahman's activities. The Lindenwold and Clementon Police Departments also joined and assisted in the investigation.
In April, undercover investigators made the first purchase of prescription forms from Rahman. The forms were for 1,140 doses of oxycodone-based drugs, with 10 prescriptions in eight different patient names written by Rahman. He was paid $1,200 in cash.
A second purchase of prescription forms was made in May, with undercover investigators paying Rahman $1,100 for eight forms in different names for a total of 960 doses.
Rahman was paid $1,500 for writing 12 prescriptions for a total of 1,440 doses in this month's transaction. He was immediately arrested following the purchase.
Rahman is being held in Camden County Jail, charged with three counts of Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance. His bail was set at $450,000. This matter remains under review by the U.S. Attorney's Office for possible federal drug distribution charges.
