Fairfield Doctor To Pay $80K Settlement Over Opioid Refill Claims

FAIRFIELD, CT — A Fairfield doctor and his practice have agreed to pay $80,000 in a civil settlement with the federal government to resolve allegations that they violated the Controlled Substances Act, according to authorities.

Orthopaedic Specialty Group, P.C. and Dr. Lawrence Kirschenbaum, who specializes in pain management, were accused of granting patients early refills 40 times for prescription controlled substances between April 2017 and January 2019, a news release from the U.S. Attorney of the District of Connecticut said.

As part of the settlement, both Kirschenbaum and the entire practice agreed to stop dispensing Schedule II opioids at their offices and will instead have patients fill such prescriptions at pharmacies, according to the news release. The practice has also agreed to include the protocol change in a written policy, authorities said.

In addition to its Fairfield office, the practice has locations in Bridgeport, Milford and Shelton.

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Office of Diversion Control, and the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection’s Drug Control Division, according to the news release.