Pain doctor's conviction affirmed

In U.S. v. McIver, the Fourth Circuit in an opinion by Judge Duncan affirmed the conviction of a physician for over-prescribing pain medication.

The facts of the case prompted this insightful Loblaw post, which says in part:

"A doctor getting prosecuted for overprescribing narcotics? That’s pretty common. But what’s uncommon – I hope – in this Fourth Circuit appeal is how the defendant got caught. A patient’s insurance company contacted the DEA because the patient was filling so many prescriptions for oxycodone. I suppose that is one way to keep insurance costs down."