DEA Shuts Down Doc for 4,200 Unlicensed Drug Prescriptions
Published Date: 2/13/2026
Notice
Summary
Dr. John Bender from Fort Collins, Florida, had his DEA registration suspended and is now facing revocation because he filled over 4,200 controlled substance prescriptions without the proper pharmacy licenses. This decision protects public health by shutting down unregistered pharmacies operating at his clinics. The changes take effect immediately, impacting Dr. Bender’s ability to legally handle controlled substances and signaling serious legal and financial consequences.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Doctor's DEA Registration Suspended and Revoked
The DEA suspended John Bender, M.D.'s DEA Certificates of Registration (Nos. BB3697577 and FB3064831) on October 17, 2024 and the Agency adopted a recommendation to revoke his registrations in a Final Decision published February 13, 2026. This takes effect immediately and prevents Dr. Bender from legally handling or dispensing controlled substances, creating serious legal and financial consequences for him.
Thousands of Unlawful Controlled Prescriptions Found
The Agency found that between April 25, 2022 and June 11, 2024, Miramont Wellness Clinic filled approximately 4,244 controlled substance prescriptions issued by clinic practitioners without a state pharmacy license or a DEA pharmacy registration. Those prescriptions—including Schedule II through V drugs (examples cited include hydrocodone-acetaminophen, testosterone cypionate, benzodiazepines, zolpidem, phentermine, tramadol, and codeine-guaifenesin)—were filled by VendRx dispensing machines and unlicensed employees, which the DEA found posed a risk of diversion and harmed the closed regulatory system for controlled substances.
DEA Clarifies Who May Fill Controlled Prescriptions
The DEA reiterated and applied 21 CFR 1306.06 and related law, stating that only pharmacists may "fill" controlled-substance prescriptions and that when practitioners dispense without a prescription they must do so "directly" to the patient. The Agency rejected Respondent's legal exceptions and said its interpretation provides guidance to the registrant community about unacceptable dispensing by machines or unlicensed staff.
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Key Dates
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