Doylestown Doctor Charged With Improperly Prescribing Opioids

HARRISBURG, PA — A Doylestown Township doctor faces 14 felony charges for prescribing medication such as oxycodone outside his legal and ethical practice of medicine, Attorney General Josh Shapiro and Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub announced Wednesday.

Dr. Richard Kondan, 58, is charged with prescribing highly addictive opioid medications to at least 14 patients in his care between November 2017 and September 2019, though prosecutors believe some of his prescribing practices go as far back as 16 years, according to the AG's office.

A joint investigation by the state attorney general's office and Bucks County detectives found that Kondan failed to prescribe controlled substances in according with accepted treatment principles and failed to keep accurate medical records supporting the high volume of controlled substances that he prescribed, authorities said.

“We trust our physicians with our health and in many cases, with our very lives. A doctor’s oath is to 'do no harm.' Instead, Dr. Kondan’s alleged conduct has endangered the very people he was sworn to make well,” Weintraub said.

Dr. Kondan, DO is an internal medicine specialist with over 31 years of experience in the medical field, according to healthgrades.com. His practice is located at 599 W. State St and he has previously had medical privileges at Doylestown Hospital, according to the criminal complaint.

Dr. Scott Levy, Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Doylestown Health, contacted the Bucks County District Attorney's Office on Feb. 26, 2018, expressing concerns regarding Dr. Kondan after an elderly male who was a patient of Kondan's was receiving "large amounts of narcotic prescriptions," according to the complaint.

Doylestown Health did not respond to a request for comment.

During their investigation, police learned that a drug dealer out of New Jersey who deals with methamphetamine was also a patient of Dr. Kondan, according to police testimony.

Prosecutors also allege that he increased dosages of the addictive painkiller oxycodone without appropriate medical justification and frequently authorized refills without physical exams or office visits, at times prescribing patients "dangerous combinations of oxycodone and other prescription medication.

“Dr. Kondan used his position of trust and authority to recklessly prescribe addictive medications that are fueling the opioid crisis in Pennsylvania. He showed too little regard for the health and safety of his patients,” Shapiro said. “Cutting off the source of these prescription drugs falling into the wrong hands is imperative to tackling this epidemic that steals the lives of 12 Pennsylvanians a day. We will continue to hold individuals accountable who put the lives of others at risk.”

Dr. Kondan could not be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon.

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