Doctor sentenced in compounding scheme

A southern California doctor was sentenced to 14 months in prison for accepting nearly $800,000 in bribes and kickbacks to prescribe compound drugs for injured workers, federal prosecutors announced.

Dr. Amir Friedman pleaded guilty in October 2019 to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services mail and wire fraud and to violate the U.S. Travel Act. He was sentenced Friday.

Prosecutors said the doctor conspired with New Age Pharmaceuticals and a marketer from August 2013 to May 2015.

The marketer provided pre-printed prescription pads for compound drugs to the doctor and offered him kickbacks and bribes for each prescription he wrote. New Age Pharmaceuticals in Beverly Hills dispensed the drugs and billed carriers.

The doctor admitted in his plea agreement that he was aware that the compound drugs he prescribed were far more expensive than equivalents, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement.

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