Doctor's DEA License Yanked After Missing Hearing Deadline
Published Date: 3/20/2025
Notice
Summary
Dr. Margaret Sprague from California lost her DEA registration because she no longer has the legal right to handle controlled substances in her state. She didn’t ask for a hearing to defend herself, so the DEA officially revoked her certificate. This means she can’t prescribe or manage controlled drugs anymore, effective immediately, impacting her medical practice and patients.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
DEA Registration Revoked, Cannot Prescribe
The DEA revoked Margaret Sprague, M.D.'s Certificate of Registration No. FS8371267, effective April 21, 2025. Because her California medical license was revoked on or about November 30, 2023, she is not allowed to prescribe, dispense, or otherwise handle controlled substances, which directly affects her medical practice and patients.
Pending Renewal and New Registrations Denied
The DEA denied any pending applications of Margaret Sprague, M.D., to renew or modify Certificate No. FS8371267 and denied any other pending application for additional registration in California, effective April 21, 2025. This prevents her from regaining or expanding DEA authority to handle controlled substances in California while the order stands.
Default for Not Requesting Hearing Allows Final Order
The Order notes that when a registrant served with an Order to Show Cause fails to file a written request for a hearing, they are deemed to have waived the hearing right and to be in default. In such a default, DEA may file for final agency action and the Administrator may enter a default final order under 21 CFR 1316.67.
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