The adaptation of telehealth is on the rise, providing a convenient way for patients to access healthcare. However, instances occur that highlight the necessity for proper checks and balances. The case of Raphael Tomas Malikian fits this bill.
The U.S. Attorney's Office confirmed yesterday that Raphael Tomas Malikian, a former Antelope Valley doctor, pled guilty to federal narcotics charges. Without meeting his "patients" in person, he had prescribed controlled substances, like opioids, via telemedicine.
Malikian had a suspended medical license as of November 2021, which expired a year later. His plea agreement stated that from December 2019 to August 2021, he practiced medicine in California, authorized by the Drug Enforcement Administration to prescribe medications. He owned Happy Family Medicine, a clinic that primarily offered telehealth services either via phone or messages.
The case exposed issues with the telehealth industry, primarily a growing concern about the lack of supervision. Malikian did not take thorough medical histories, conduct physical exams, or verify identities before issuing prescriptions. On top of that, he allowed clients to acquire prescriptions in other people's names.
Further, Malikian verified incorrect information provided by two accomplices whose falsified prescriptions were filled, then resold illegally. Malikian was eager to leverage the healthcare crisis caused by the pandemic by claiming urgency on his fraudulent prescriptions.
During his virtual stint, Malikian issued hundreds of fake prescriptions for liquid promethazine with codeine. He dispensed them to various pharmacies nationally, amounting to more than 82 liters. There was even a case in which he prescribed an undercover officer hundreds of pills without conducting a proper verification or medical evaluation.
