A Sacramento, CA, radiologist has agreed to pay the U.S. government $125,000 in civil monetary penalties to resolve compliance issues related to his role as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registrant at Sutter Imaging Capitol Pavilion.
In a statement, the U.S. Attorney's Office Eastern District of California said a 2022 inspection identified multiple recordkeeping violations at the diagnostic imaging center. Philip Yen, MD, a radiologist employed by Sutter Medical Group, was Capitol Pavilion's DEA registrant.
Federal regulations require a DEA registrant to keep detailed records related to receipt and dispensing of controlled substances, to ensure that opioids and other addictive and dangerous drugs are maintained, recorded, and documented properly. Yen served as DEA registrant from 2018 to 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
However, Yen was not adequately trained regarding the DEA registrant role and responsibilities, and Sutter staff were aware of the risk of diversion of controlled substances from Capitol Pavilion, the DOJ said.
In addition to paying civil monetary penalties, Yen will complete comprehensive training on DEA obligations, including recordkeeping requirements and effective controls against theft and diversion, according to the DOJ.
Claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability, the DOJ noted in its statement.
