This post was originally published on this site
Kenneth Cherry, an orthopedic surgeon previously affiliated with University Orthopedics Center in State College, lost his medical license for 30 months, according to a list of disciplinary actions released by Pennsylvania’s Department of State’s for the month of September.
According to a press release from Attorney Josh Shapiro’s office on June 23, Cherry wrote 63 prescriptions from Nov. 2014 to May 2016 for opioid pain medications and other drugs to a woman he was involved in an affair with. The woman was not his patient.
“The illegal diversion of prescription drugs is a serious, growing problem in our Commonwealth,” said Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro. “Whether it’s people stealing a prescription pad to obtain opioids, a pharmacy aide stealing 30,000 prescription pills or a doctor unlawfully writing prescriptions for someone who isn’t his patient, if you divert prescription drugs, we’re going to prosecute you.”
CVS pharmacy reported to the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation a large amount of prescriptions being written by Cherry for Mary Amendola, according to the release.
Amendola told investigators that she was romantically involved with Cherry and would retrieve the prescriptions he left for her from his vehicle.
Cherry admitted to writing prescriptions for Amendola and not documenting it. He told agents he thought it was a “good deed,” according to the release.
“I want to commend the CVS pharmacy in State College for coming forward with information about this case,” Attorney General Shapiro said. “Everyone can and should play a role in helping us end the illegal practice of diverting prescription drugs from their intended use.”