Fort Walton Beach Physician Pays $300,000 To Resolve Controlled Substances Act Violation Allegations
Pensacola, Florida / Monday, September 21, 2026 – Dr. Twan Phanijphand, M.D., a gastroenterologist located in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, agreed to pay $300,000 to resolve allegations that he unlawfully prescribed opioids and other controlled substances in violation of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). As part of the settlement, Dr. Phanijphand also agreed to not reapply for a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration for Schedule II and IIN controlled substances and agreed to additional monitoring by the DEA. The settlement was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “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 our communities safe and healthy. Florida, in particular, has dealt with the devastating consequences of the opioid epidemic for years, and my office is committed to ensuring we hold physicians accountable to prevent future harms to our communities.”
The government alleged that Dr. Phanijphand committed certain CSA violations, including that from June 15, 2023, through March 7, 2025, Dr. Phanijphand unlawfully prescribed at least one hundred twenty-seven (127) controlled substance prescriptions within the State of Florida (including prescriptions for oxycodone-acetaminophen, hydrocodone-acetaminophen, lorazepam, alprazolam, clonazepam, and tramadol) and did not maintain any patient records. Dr. Phanijphand voluntarily surrendered his DEA registration on April 22, 2026. In addition to the $300,000 monetary fine, Dr. Phanijphand agreed to (1) not reapply for a DEA registration for Schedule II or IIN controlled substances, and (2) document completion of continuing medical education in prescribing and recordkeeping of controlled substances.
“The Controlled Substance Act requires DEA registrants to maintain accurate inventorying, tracking, and record keeping to prevent the diversion of controlled substances,” said DEA Tampa Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar. “We remain committed to working with our law enforcement and regulatory partners to protect the safety and health of our Florida communities.”
This civil settlement agreement is not an admission of any liability by Dr. Phanijphand, nor 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).
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Contact
United States Attorney’s Office
Northern District of Florida
USAFLN.Press.Office@usdoj.gov
X: @USAO_NDFL
Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Florida
