Ohio doctor convicted of illegally distributing opioids, other drugs

COLUMBUS — A federal jury in Columbus has convicted an Ohio doctor for illegally prescribing buprenorphine and other drugs in violation of the Controlled Substances Act.

>>RELATED: Ex-doctor convicted of overprescribing opioids to addicted patients

Eskender Getachew, 58 of Galena, was convicted of 11 counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count, according to court documents and evidence presented at the trial.

He unlawfully prescribed Benzodiazepines and opioids to his patients, including prescribing Subutex, which has a high risk of abuse and diversion, to patients for whom the drug is not indicated.

The number of pills Getachew prescribed depended on the amount of money patients paid at their office visits.

He was also aware of several reports that patients were selling their Subutex but his prescribing continued unabated, a Department of Justice (D.O.J.) spokesperson said.

A sentencing date has not yet been set.

It will be determined by a federal district court judge after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

©2023 Cox Media Group