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Paterson podiatrist loses license for allegedly overprescribing opioids | Paterson Times

Paterson podiatrist loses license for allegedly overprescribing opioids

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The New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners revoked Anthony Enrico, Jr.’s medical license for allegedly overprescribing opioids. His license was previously suspended.

Enrico, 60, of North Haledon, had offices in Paterson, Passaic City, and Elizabeth. He allegedly prescribed large quantities of painkillers — Oxycodone, Endocet, Percocet, Xanax, Vicodin – for years to patients without any legitimate medical purpose.

“Physicians who indiscriminately prescribe dangerous drugs for profit are no better than street-corner drug dealers, and we will do everything we can to protect our communities from such danger,” said attorney general Gurbir Grewal on Thursday.

As part of the final consent order with the board dated Jun. 27, Enrico’s podiatric license is revoked and he will be barred from obtaining a license to practice podiatry in New Jersey for five years.

The state permanently revoked his controlled dangerous substance registration.

In Jan. 2017, a state investigation uncovered Enrico, from 2011 to 2016, treated seven patients for virtually the same foot and lower leg condition by prescribing large amounts of Oxycodone, Endocet, Percocet, Xanax, Vicodin, Lunesta, Vyvanse, Tylenol with Codeine and Ambien.

Authorities alleged he demonstrated gross negligence and endangered the welfare of his patients. He failed to treat his patients for their underlying foot condition and practiced outside the scope of his license by prescribing painkillers like Xanax.

In Oct. 2017, federal authorities charged Enrico with bilking $3 million from Medicare and private insurance providers through fraudulent billings. He pleaded guilty. He admitted from Jan. 2007 through May 2016, he billed Medicare and other insurance providers for more than 150,000 physical therapy sessions that were performed by untrained and unlicensed staff.

In Mar. 2018, he was sentenced to three years in federal prison and ordered to pay $3 million restitution.

If Enrico decides to resume practice after five years, he has to complete a board approved ethics training course, undergo a full evaluation of his podiatric knowledge and skills.

Enrico has to pay the state $20,000 for its investigation and attorney costs.

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