Community Corner

Dearborn Doctor Suspended For Over-Prescribing Opioids

Records show he prescribed excessive amounts of opioids, including oxycodone, and Promethazine, a codeine-based syrup.

DEARBORN, MI — A Dearborn doctor’s controlled substance license has been suspended after investigators found he was one of the top prescribers of controlled substances.

The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) served an order summarily suspending the controlled substance license of Ramon A. Madrid for “failing to prescribe medications in good faith.”

The Michigan Public Health Code provides for summary suspension of licenses when the public health, safety, or welfare requires emergency action.

LARA also served an accompanying administrative complaint on Madrid’s controlled substance license, alleging that he failed to maintain effective controls against diversion of controlled substances and failed to prescribe in good faith. A similar administrative complaint was served against Madrid’s medical license.

LARA’s complaints indicate that Madrid has been aware of fraudulent activity associated with his Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration number for approximately one year. During that time, he failed to take the appropriate action to stop the fraudulent activity. Prescribers are required to have a DEA registration number in order to prescribe controlled substances.

Records show he prescribed excessive amounts of opioids, including oxycodone, and Promethazine, a codeine-based syrup.

An order of summary suspension is a temporary measure to protect the public and not a final determination that a licensee has violated the Public Health Code, according to LARA.

LARA encourages all concerned residents, patients, parents and peers to file complaints against health professionals who may allegedly be risking public health, safety or welfare. LARA values and relies on complaints from patients and residents to spur investigations into licensed health professionals who are potentially violating the Public Health Code.

For more information on filing a complaint with the department, visit Michigan.gov/BPL or review the Citizen’s Guide to Filing a Complaint.

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