A group of doctors, nurse practitioners, pharmacists and a clinic owner have all been charged with conspiracy to illegally distribute opioids.

According to the indictment, the owner of New Vision Rehab and Preferred Rehab clinics in the Detroit area gave kickbacks to doctors and nurse practitioners in exchange for writing prescriptions for patients who did not exist or did not need the drugs. During the nearly three year period, almost 2 million doses of Schedule II controlled substances were distributed, worth more than $41 million.

"Prescription drugs are supposed to go to people who truly need them, not to fake patients or people selling drugs on the streets," said U.S. attorney Matthew Schneider said. "We are focusing on charging doctors, pharmacists, and the networks that add to the opioid crisis, and this case is unfortunately yet another example of the serious problem facing Michigan."

The pharmacists involved in the scheme either billed private insurers or Medicare and Medicaid, or accepted cash for the bogus prescriptions.

The case highlights a growing focus on the role of prescribers and pharmacists in the nation's opioid epidemic.

According to DEA special agent Keith Martin, "These enforcement actions and others like them around the country, demonstrate our commitment to prosecuting licensed professionals who flood communities with addictive legal drugs for their own personal benefit."

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19 health care providers, pharmacists indicted in $41 million opioid scheme

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