The purpose of this health alert and corresponding documents are to inform providers of a recent medication disruption that occurred in Atlantic County, New Jersey and provide resources for impacted patients.
The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) has been informed of an Atlantic County-based clinician prescribing controlled dangerous substances (CDS) who surrendered their Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) license, making this clinician unable to continue prescribing such medications. Patients receiving care from this provider were receiving prescriptions for medications including benzodiazepines and stimulants. This incident has led to a disruption in access to care and patient medical records for approximately 250-300 patients, leaving patients at-risk for withdrawal symptoms due to an abrupt discontinuation of benzodiazepines and more vulnerable to an overdose if they turn to the illicit drug supply. Abrupt withdrawal from benzodiazepines can be life-threatening.
If you have any further questions, please contact Amanda Gan, Public Health Analyst, at Amanda.Gan@doh.nj.gov.
This information has been broadcast to: phensc@njlincs.net; Health Department 201 Wheatsworth ; Local Boards of Health; Health Care Providers; Home Health Nursing Agencies; Hospices; Hospital Administration; Hospital Infection Control; ICPs; Infectious Disease; Long Term Care Centers; Pediatricians; Primary Care Family Practice; Daycare Centers/Preschools; Educational School Nurses;