{"id":2071012,"date":"2023-10-17T21:09:04","date_gmt":"2023-10-18T01:09:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ex-california-doctor-admits-to-illegally-issuing-prescriptions-for-narcotics-during-telehealth\/"},"modified":"2023-10-17T21:12:52","modified_gmt":"2023-10-18T01:12:52","slug":"ex-california-doctor-admits-to-illegally-issuing-prescriptions-for-narcotics-during-telehealth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ex-california-doctor-admits-to-illegally-issuing-prescriptions-for-narcotics-during-telehealth\/","title":{"rendered":"Former California doctor confesses to unlawfully prescribing narcotics via telehealth."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fex-california-doctor-admits-to-illegally-issuing-prescriptions-for-narcotics-during-telehealth%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2071012&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>Former Antelope Valley Physician Pleads Guilty to Federal Narcotics Charges<\/h2>\n<p>In \u2062a shocking case, a former Antelope Valley physician, Raphael Tomas Malikian, has\u200c pleaded guilty to federal narcotics charges. \u200dMalikian, who\u200c operated Happy Family Medicine, illegally dispensed prescriptions for \u2062highly addictive controlled substances, including opioid-based medications, during telemedicine sessions with \u2064patients from all over the\u2063 United States.<\/p>\n<p>The U.S. Attorney&#8217;s Office \u2064has reported that Malikian pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting the\u200c acquisition of a controlled substance by fraud and one count of distribution of oxycodone. His \u200csentencing hearing is scheduled for February\u200d 5th, where he could face up\u2064 to 20 years in federal prison \u200cfor\u200d the distribution of oxycodone and up to four years for aiding and abetting the acquisition of a controlled\u200b substance by \u2064fraud.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h2>Related Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/newsom-vetoes-california-bill-decriminalizing-psychedelics-5506177?<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/jacob-siegel-on-disinformation-the-hoax-of-the-century-part-1\/\" title=\"Jacob Siegel discusses disinformation and refers to it as the 'Hoax of the Century' in Part 1.\">ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories<\/a>&#8220;>Newsom\u2063 Vetoes California Bill Decriminalizing Psychedelics<\/a><\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-comp-caption\">10\/8\/2023<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/california-to-ask-social-media-platforms-to-keep-illegal-drug-sale-communications-for-at-least-90-days-5511259?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\">California to Ask Social Media Platforms \u200bto Keep Illegal\u200d Drug Sale \u200dCommunications for \u200dat Least\u2062 90 Days<\/a><\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-comp-caption\">10\/16\/2023<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The\u2062 Medical Board of\u2063 California\u200c had already suspended \u200bMalikian&#8217;s medical license in\u200d November 2021, and\u200c it \u2063expired the following month. According to his plea agreement,\u2063 Malikian, who was a licensed physician, prescribed medication\u200c without\u200b proper medical evaluations or verifying the identities of his customers. He also\u200c allowed customers to obtain prescriptions \u200din the names of others.<\/p>\n<p>Working with two co-conspirators, Malikian issued controlled substance prescriptions to fictitious patients, which were then filled and sold on the\u2062 black \u200bmarket. \u2063Shockingly, many of these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ex-california-doctor-admits-to-illegally-issuing-prescriptions-for-narcotics-during-telehealth\/\" title=\"Former California doctor confesses to unlawfully prescribing narcotics via telehealth.\">fraudulent prescriptions contained false notes urging pharmacies<\/a>\u2063 not to verify them due to the life-threatening nature of\u200c the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n<p>One\u2062 of the most alarming aspects of Malikian&#8217;s illegal activities is the sheer volume of false prescriptions he issued. He prescribed over 82 liters of liquid promethazine with codeine, directing them to\u2063 various pharmacies across\u2064 the nation for his co-conspirators \u2062to obtain.<\/p>\n<p>In a particularly damning \u200dincident, Malikian \u2064unknowingly prescribed\u2064 controlled substances to an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/newlyweds-arrested-after-trying-to-board-cargo-ship-in-attempt-to-join-isis\/\" title=\"Newlyweds Arrested After Trying To Board Cargo Ship In Attempt To Join ISIS\">undercover law enforcement officer<\/a>. Without conducting proper medical evaluations or verifying the officer&#8217;s identity, he issued prescriptions for oxycodone, promethazine with codeine, Norco, and alprazolam (Xanax). These actions were performed outside the scope of professional practice and without a legitimate medical \u200dpurpose.<\/p>\n<p>This case serves as \u200ba stark reminder of the dangers of illegal\u2063 prescription drug distribution and\u2064 the need for stricter regulations in the \u2064telemedicine industry.<\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> What led to the investigation \u200binto \u2062Malikian&#8217;s illegal prescribing practices?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Ornia-police-officer-charged-for-sexual-assault-during-traffic-stop-5506509?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories&#8221;>California\u2064 Police Officer Charged \u200dfor\u2062 Sexual Assault During Traffic Stop<\/a><\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-comp-caption\">10\/8\/2023<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The \u2063investigation into Malikian began in\u200c 2021 after authorities received reports of his illegal prescribing practices. \u200cAccording to court documents, Malikian would conduct telemedicine consultations with\u200b patients, during which he would \u2064write prescriptions for \u200chighly addictive drugs, including oxycodone and other opioid-based medications, without proper medical justification. \u200cThese consultations were conducted without \u2063any physical\u200c examination or comprehensive medical evaluation of the patients.<\/p>\n<p>Malikian&#8217;s \u2062illegal activities were not limited to patients located\u2062 in the Antelope Valley\u200c area. \u200cHe\u200c provided his services to patients from all over the\u2064 United States through his telemedicine practice, Happy Family Medicine. \u200cThis allowed him to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-angels-employee-found-guilty-for-role-in-tyler-skaggs-death\/\" title=\"Former Angels Employee Found Guilty For Role In Tyler Skaggs\u2019 Death\">distribute controlled substances<\/a> to individuals across state lines, exacerbating the\u200b potential harm\u2062 caused by his actions.<\/p>\n<p>The U.S. \u200dAttorney&#8217;s Office emphasized the seriousness of Malikian&#8217;s\u2062 crimes, highlighting the devastating\u2064 impact of opioid addiction on \u2064individuals, families, and communities. \u200cThese highly\u200b addictive drugs can ruin lives and lead \u2063to overdose deaths, making\u200c the illegal distribution of opioids an extremely dangerous offense.<\/p>\n<p>Malikian&#8217;s guilty plea marks a crucial step in holding \u200chim\u2062 accountable for his actions and ensuring justice for the victims\u2062 affected\u2064 by his\u2062 illegal practices. \u200cHe will face a sentencing hearing on February 5th, during which the court will \u2064determine\u2063 his punishment.<\/p>\n<p>The case against \u2063Malikian is a stark reminder of\u200c the importance of monitoring \u2064and regulating\u200b telemedicine practices. \u200cWhile telemedicine can provide convenient access to healthcare services, it also presents challenges in terms of verifying the legitimacy of medical professionals and\u2064 ensuring the appropriate prescription of medication. \u200cEfforts \u200bmust be\u2064 made to establish robust guidelines and \u200doversight mechanisms to prevent the abuse of telemedicine platforms for illegal activities.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, this case underscores the ongoing opioid crisis in the\u200d United \u2063States. \u200cThe illegal distribution of opioids and the subsequent rise in\u2063 addiction and overdose deaths is a national public health\u200b emergency. \u200cAddressing \u200bthis crisis requires a multi-faceted approach, including stricter regulations on prescribing practices,\u200c increased access to addiction\u2062 treatment and rehabilitation\u2062 services,\u2063 and\u2062 public awareness campaigns \u200cto educate individuals about the dangers of opioid abuse.<\/p>\n<p>In conclusion, the guilty\u200c plea \u2062of former Antelope \u2064Valley physician Raphael \u200bTomas Malikian for federal narcotics charges sheds light on the \u200dserious repercussions of illegal prescribing practices. \u200cIt\u2063 serves\u200b as \u200ba reminder of the devastating impact of opioid addiction and the\u200d need for stricter\u2064 regulations and oversight in the field of telemedicine. \u200cEfforts to address the\u2063 opioid crisis must be intensified to protect \u200dvulnerable individuals and communities from the harmful effects of these dangerous drugs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A former Antelope Valley doctor, Raphael Tomas Malikian, admitted guilt on Oct. 16 for unlawfully prescribing addictive drugs, including opioids, to patients nationwide through telemedicine sessions. The 39-year-old resident of Llano and Palmdale pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the acquisition of controlled substances.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":410,"featured_media":2071013,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2071012","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2071012","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/410"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2071012"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2071012\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2071013"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2071012"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2071012"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2071012"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}