FORT WALTON BEACH — Dr. Twan Phanijphand, a gastroenterologist in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, agreed to pay $300,000 to resolve allegations that he unlawfully prescribed controlled substances in violation of the Controlled Substances Act. The settlement was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

The alleged prescriptions included oxycodone-acetaminophen, hydrocodone-acetaminophen, lorazepam, alprazolam, clonazepam, and tramadol. The government further alleged that Dr. Phanijphand did not maintain any patient records for the unlawful prescriptions.

Dr. Phanijphand voluntarily surrendered his Drug Enforcement Administration registration on April 22, 2026. As part of the agreement, Dr. Phanijphand agreed to not reapply for a Drug Enforcement Administration registration for Schedule II and IIN controlled substances. He also agreed to additional monitoring by the Drug Enforcement Administration and to document completion of continuing medical education in prescribing and recordkeeping of controlled substances.

The civil settlement agreement is not an admission of any liability by Dr. Phanijphand. It is also not a concession by the United States that its claims were not well-founded. Assistant United States Attorney Mary Ann Couch represented the United States in this matter, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Control Program.

Daniel Escobar, DEA Tampa Special Agent in Charge, addressed the regulatory requirements involved in the case. "The Controlled Substance Act requires DEA registrants to maintain accurate inventorying, tracking, and record keeping to prevent the diversion of controlled substances," Escobar said. "We remain committed to working with our law enforcement and regulatory partners to protect the safety and health of our Florida communities."

Why It Matters

This case involves allegations of unlawful prescribing practices by a medical professional in Florida, a state that has faced challenges related to the opioid epidemic. The settlement reflects the federal government's focus on enforcing compliance with the Controlled Substances Act among physicians to prevent the diversion of controlled substances and protect public health.

The agreement includes specific prohibitions on future DEA registration for certain controlled substances and mandates ongoing monitoring and education for Dr. Phanijphand. These measures reflect the regulatory framework designed to ensure accountability and maintain accurate recordkeeping in the dispensation of controlled medications.

Timeline

The government alleged that Dr. Phanijphand unlawfully prescribed at least 127 controlled substance prescriptions between June 15, 2023, and March 7, 2025.

On September 21, 2026, Dr. Twan Phanijphand agreed to pay $300,000 to resolve allegations that he unlawfully prescribed controlled substances in violation of the Controlled Substances Act. On that same date, Heekin stated that Florida has dealt with the devastating consequences of the opioid epidemic for years and that his office is committed to ensuring they hold physicians accountable to prevent future harms to their communities. He also noted that federal law strictly governs the administration and dispensation of controlled substances by medical professionals, and ensuring physicians in Florida are complying with those requirements is of principal importance to keeping their communities safe and healthy.

Additionally, Escobar stated that the Controlled Substance Act requires DEA registrants to maintain accurate inventorying, tracking, and record keeping to prevent the diversion of controlled substances. Dr. Phanijphand agreed to not reapply for a Drug Enforcement Administration registration for Schedule II and IIN controlled substances.

What's New

Additional context identifies the State of Florida as a state of the United States of America. The United States Attorney serves as the chief prosecutor representing the United States federal government.