Montgomery County Doctor Accused Of Running Prescription Pill Mill
SOUDERTON, Pa. (CBS) - A Montgomery County doctor is under arrest, accused of operating a pill mill in the Indian Valley and North Penn areas that prosecutors say preyed on young adults with drug addictions.
Prosecutors say police began investigating a series of crimes last year that all involved people who had possession of large quantities of oxycodone and other prescription medications.
Further investigation found all signs pointed to 76-year-old Dr. Richard Ruth of Souderton, whom prosecutors say wrote nearly 1,800 prescriptions for more than 240,000 pills in a year to young people in their twenties with drug issues.
District attorney Risa Ferman says he violated every medical oath.
"The first motto of medical ethics is first do no harm," Ferman said. "Dr. Ruth did nothing but harm. He created drug addicts. He fed drug addicts and he provided drugs for drug dealers to sell on the street."
Prosecutors believe it was greed that fueled the doctor's actions. The charges include prescription fraud, identity theft, and insurance fraud.
Ruth's son Michael, 43, is facing conspiracy and related charges. The elder Ruth had been prohibited from writing prescriptions in the past but got his license back.
Reported by Brad Segall, KYW Newsradio 1060
