San Diego Psychiatrist Prakash K. Bhatia Pays $145K to Settle Opioid Charges
May 2, 2020
A local psychiatrist has paid $145,000 to resolve allegations that he over-prescribed opioids to patients over the course of several years, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said Thursday.
Dr. Prakash Bhatia, who previously owned and operated Progressive Health and Wellness in El Cajon, wrote prescriptions for hydromorphone, morphine, methadone, oxycodone, fentanyl and oxymorphone between March 2013 and December 2017 “without a legitimate medical purpose and/or outside the usual course of his professional practice, in violation of the Controlled Substances Act,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Diego.
Prosecutors said Bhatia also prescribed those medications in combination with depressants, “which are known to increase the risk of abuse, addiction and overdose.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration initiated the investigation into Bhatia’s conduct.
“By holding the medical community accountable for improperly writing opioid prescriptions, the DEA is ensuring that San Diegans are safe from illicit prescribers who enable the abuse of prescription drugs for financial benefit,"said DEA Special Agent in Charge John W. Callery.
Source: “Psychiatrist agrees to pay $145K to settle overprescription allegations,” San Diego Union-Tribune, April 30, 2020. URL: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/public-safety/story/2020-04-30/psychiatrist-agrees-to-pay-145k-to-settle-overprescription-allegations
Dr. Bhatia continues to seek alternative methods for treating pain and mental health. He is focused on helping the military population, volunteering, and donating suits to those transitioning to civilian life with the Warrior Foundation. His practice continues de-prescribing meds in all populations using alternative methods of treatment. For ADHD, CBT is used, and non-stimulants, such as SNRIs, are employed. In cases where treatment of PTSD, fibromyalgia, or anxiety is needed, TMS is utilized. TMS protocols are used instead of opioids, and other methods using a TENS unit can also be beneficial without turning to opioids. In addition, he does not prescribe controlled substances at all in his practice. Currently, no new controlled medication is started, and all existing controlled medications are de-prescribed with a clear plan of improving the lives of those that were on them. Dr. Bhatia also volunteers his time and provides donations to military fundraising events in San Diego County.
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