Patients at risk of benzodiazepine and opioid withdrawal due to disruption in access to medications in Wayne, NJ

Date:6/17/2024
Official Message No.:112114-6-17-2024-PHAL
Contact Info: Michele | 609-571-2839 | michele.calvo@doh.nj.gov
Attachments: Yes Attachment 1 Attachment 2

The purpose of this health alert is to inform you of a prescriber disruption involving a Wayne, New Jersey based clinician who prescribed controlled dangerous substances (CDS). On June 13, 2024, The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has served the clinician with an immediate suspension order, making this clinician unable to continue prescribing CDS. This incident has led to a disruption in access to CDS for approximately 600-700 patients, leaving patients at-risk for withdrawal symptoms due to an abrupt discontinuation of these medications. 

Attached to this alert are two PDF documents. One document is to alert providers to the potential health concerns for impacted patients and the second is to provide an overview of options for patients who are prescribed a medication and have lost access to their healthcare provider. Some resources promoted below may not be applicable to all patients.

If you have any additional questions, please contact Amanda Gan, Public Health Analyst, at Amanda.Gan@doh.nj.gov.


This information has been broadcast to: County CBOs; BCPPH; Virtua CNS; Twp Admin; Municipal Clerks; Mayors; County LINCS; Burlington County Human Services; Communicable Disease; Admin/Health Ed/Preparedness; Community Health Centers(FQHCs); Emergency Medical Services / First Responders; County OEM; EMS; Fire; Local OEM; Police; Health Care Facilities/Other; Adult Day Health Care Services; LTC/Assisted Living; Rehabilitation; Surgical Centers; Health Care Providers; Dental; Dialysis; Hospice/Palliative care; ICP; Internal Medicine; Medical Specialty; OBGYN; Pediatric; Primary Care Physicians ; Urgent Care; Hospitals/Acute Care; Hospital Emergency Dept; Hospital Medical Directors; Hospital Nursing Directors; Hospitals/Other; Hospitals/Veterans; Labs/Non-Sentinel; Labs/Sentinel; Pharmaceutical Suppliers; Pharmacies; Pharmacies - Hospitals; Local Boards of Health;