[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 131 (Wednesday, July 9, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 36845-36846] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-17785] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Drug Enforcement Administration Paul W. Teegardin, D.V.M.; Denial of Application On February 25, 1997, the Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), issued an Order to Show Cause to Paul W. Teegardin, D.V.M., of Ashville, Ohio, notifying him of an opportunity to show cause as to why DEA should not deny his application, dated December 6, 1995, for a DEA Certificate of Registration as a practitioner pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 823(f), for reason that his registration would be inconsistent with the public interest. Specifically, the Order to Show Cause alleged that: ``(1) (Dr. Teegardin's) last DEA registration, AT6745648, expired in November 1997. On two occasions in 1990-91, (he) prescribed for (himself) and received diazepam injectable, a Schedule IV controlled substance, and Darvocet, a Schedule IV controlled substance. These prescriptions were issued not in the course of usual professional practice and not for a [[Page 36846]] legitimate medical purpose, in violation of 21 U.S.C. Secs. 841(a)(1) and 843(a)(3). (2) On July 29, 1995, (Dr. Teegardin) prescribed for (himself) and received Darvocet, a Schedule IV controlled substance. On August 10, 1995, (he) prescribed diazepam injectable, a Schedule IV controlled substance, purportedly for administration to a feline patient. These prescriptions were issued not in the course of usual professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose, in violation of 21 U.S.C. Secs. 841(a)(1) and 843(a)(3)''. The order also notified Dr. Teegardin that should not request for a hearing be filed within 30 days, his hearing right would be deemed waived. The Order to Show Cause was personally served on Dr. Teegardin on April 2, 1997. No request for a hearing or any other reply was received by the DEA from Dr. Teegardin or anyone purporting to represent him in this matter. Therefore, the Acting Deputy Administrator, finding that (1) 30 days have passed since the receipt of the Order to Show Cause, and (2) no request for a hearing having been received, concludes that Dr. Teegardin is deemed to have waived his hearing right. After considering the relevant material from the investigative file in this matter, the Acting Deputy Administrator now enters his final order without a hearing pursuant to 21 C.F.R. 1301.43 (d) and (e) and 1301.46. The Acting Deputy Administrator finds that Dr. Teegardin has not possessed a valid DEA Certificate of Registration since 1977. A joint investigation by DEA and the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board (Board) revealed that Dr. Teegardin had issued at least four controlled substance prescriptions while not authorized to do so. On October 4, 1995, during an interview with a Board investigator, Dr. Teegardin admitted that in the past approximately ten years, he had issued prescriptions to himself for ``dangerous drugs'' to treat an unidentified health problem and had issued prescriptions to a Clara Teegardin for a non-veterinary purpose. The investigation also revealed that Dr. Teegardin issued a prescription for Valium, a Schedule IV controlled substance, for the cat of a retired dentist, which was telephoned into a local pharmacy. On December 4, 1995, after Dr. Teegardin discovered that the Board was questioning the issuance of the prescription, Dr. Teegardin reportedly contacted the pharmacist and the retired dentist and attempted to convince them to remove his name as the prescriber on the prescription and to replace his name with the name of the retired dentist. In addition, Dr. Teegardin admitted that he failed to maintain patient files or medical records in certain situations which is a violation of state law and he failed to comply with several subpoenas issued by the Board also in violation of state law. On February 19, 1997, the Board and Dr. Teegardin entered into a settlement agreement whereby Dr. Teegardin was suspended for 60 days from the practice of veterinary medicine and fined $500.00. In addition, Dr. Teegardin's license was placed on probation with the requirement that he attend 60 hours of continuing education. Pursuant to 21 U.S.C. Sec. 823(f), the Deputy Administrator may deny an application for a DEA Certificate of Registration if he determines that such registration would be inconsistent with the public interest. In determining the public interest, the following factors are considered: (1) The recommendation of the appropriate State licensing board or professional disciplinary authority. (2) The applicant's experience in dispensing, or conducting research with respect to controlled substances. (3) The applicant's conviction record under Federal or State laws relating to the manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of controlled substances. (4) Compliance with applicable State, Federal, or local laws relating to controlled substances. (5) Such other conduct which may threaten the public health and safety. These factors are to be considered in the disjunctive; the Deputy Administrator may rely on any one or a combination of factors and may give each factor the weight he deems appropriate in determining whether a registration should be revoked or an application for registration be denied. See Henry J. Schwarz, Jr., M.D., Docket No. 88-42, 54 FR 16422 (1989). Dr. Teegardin issued prescriptions for controlled substances without being registered with DEA to do so. As a result, he violated both Federal and state law regarding controlled substances. In addition, he failed to comply with other state laws regarding his practice of veterinary medicine. Based upon the Board's investigation, Dr. Teegardin's license to practice veterinary medicine was suspended for a period of time and then placed on probation. The Acting Deputy Administrator is particularly troubled by Dr. Teegardin's efforts, after learning that he was under investigation, to have his name removed as the prescriber from a controlled substance prescription. Dr. Teegardin did not respond to the Order to Show Cause and therefore did not offer any mitigation evidence. Consequently, the Acting Deputy Administrator concludes that based upon the evidence before him, Dr. Teegardin's registration would be inconsistent with the public interest. Accordingly, the Acting Deputy Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, pursuant to the authority vested in him by 21 U.S.C. 823 and 28 CFR 0.100(b) and 0.104, hereby orders that the application, submitted by Paul W. Teegardin, D.V.M., on December 6, 1995, for a DEA Certificate of Registration, be, and it hereby is, denied. This order is effective August 8, 1997. Dated: July 1, 1997. James S. Milford, Acting Deputy Administrator. [FR Doc. 97-17785 Filed 7-8-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4410-09-M