Philadelphia Physician Dr. David L. Mattingly Settles for $72,000 in Improper Opioid Prescribing Allegations

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Eastern Pennsylvania has disclosed a settlement involving Dr. David L. Mattingly, a Philadelphia-area osteopathic physician, who faced allegations of improperly prescribing opioid medications. According to a press release, U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero stated that Dr. Mattingly has agreed to pay $72,000 to the government and is now subject to stringent restrictions that bar him from prescribing almost all controlled substances, including opioids such as oxycodone. The allegations stem from Dr. Mattingly's prescribing practices between February 2015 and September 2018, which were found to not fully comply with the Controlled Substances Act's requirements for legitimate medical purposes and customary professional practice.

According to the detailed settlement agreement, Dr. Mattingly is required to cease prescribing nearly all controlled substances. This decision follows an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division. In addition to the financial settlement, Dr. Mattingly has agreed to enter into an administrative agreement with the DEA, which requires him to complete continuing education courses. While the agreement does not constitute a confession of guilt, it aims to prevent a recurrence of the improper prescribing practices. "Doctors like Mattingly have a responsibility to their patients and the community when they prescribe controlled substances, particularly opioids like oxycodone," stated U.S. Attorney Romero in the press release.

Prescribers of controlled substances are held to a dual standard: ensuring each prescription serves a legitimate medical purpose and is issued as part of their ordinary professional practice. These standards, outlined by the Controlled Substances Act, were the basis for the DEA’s investigation into Mattingly's prescribing patterns. Thomas Hodnett, the DEA's Special Agent in Charge of the Philadelphia Field Division, said, "As part of his obligations under the Controlled Substances Act, Dr. Mattingly was required to ensure that both of these standards were met when he prescribed powerful painkillers such as oxycodone," as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The civil resolution, which halts much of Dr. Mattingly’s ability to influence the course of patients' care through controlled substances, closes a chapter on what has become a historic battle against prescription drug abuse. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony D. Scicchitano, Investigator Jeffrey Braun, and Auditor Dawn Wiggins were credited by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their efforts in the civil investigation and settlement proceedings. The deal not only reflects an ongoing commitment to combating the opioid crisis but also serves to uphold the public's holistic health through vigilant legal oversight of medical professionals.