A New England doctor received an eight-month prison sentence after being involved in a conspiracy to distribute buprenorphine, a prescription opioid, without proper authorization. Alongside the sentence, the court ordered the doctor, Adnan S. Khan, M.D., to forfeit $75,000 in proceeds from the illegal activity and imposed a fine of $20,000. Dr. Khan also relinquished his medical license and DEA registrations.
Dr. Khan, aged 49 and residing in Manchester, New Hampshire, had acknowledged his involvement in prescribing opioids improperly through his business, New England Medicine and Counseling Associates (NEMCA). In November 2024, he pleaded guilty to collaborating with others to distribute opioids unlawfully, demanding cash payments for office visits, and falsifying medical records.
Evidence showed that during the plot, Dr. Khan and his associates expressed concerns about drawing attention from the New England Strike Force. In communications, Khan warned his staff not to interact with representatives from the strike force regarding their practices at NEMCA. Dr. Khan urged his team that "it is not a matter of if someone from such a task force will visit NEMCA but rather a matter of time."
The investigation revealed that Dr. Khan and a co-conspirator demanded $250 in cash from patients for opioid prescriptions, directing the funds for personal purchases, including an airplane and properties. Khan also admitted to discussing strategies for retaining patients suspected of diverting drugs to others.
The announcement of the sentencing was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Michael P. Drescher for the District of Vermont. The investigation involved the Department of Health and Human Services—Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Vermont Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit.
Trial Attorneys Thomas D. Campbell and Danielle H. Sakowski from the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Gilman for the District of Vermont, handled the prosecution.
The case highlights the efforts of the Fraud Section to combat health care fraud and opioid distribution through its Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. This initiative, comprising several strike forces, has charged numerous defendants with fraudulently billing federal and private health care programs.
The public is encouraged to contact HHS-OIG’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 24/7 National Helpline for opioid treatment services at 1-800-662-4359.