PENSACOLA BEACH, Fla. — A Pensacola Beach physician has been indicted on 41 federal counts alleging the illegal distribution and dispensing of controlled substances, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida.
Federal prosecutors announced Tuesday that Dr Edward Scott Morrison, 58, is charged with distributing and dispensing controlled substances in connection with the alleged illegal prescribing of at least 25,500 pills, including more than 22,000 opioid pills and more than 3,000 stimulant pills.
According to court documents, Dr Morrison allegedly prescribed controlled substances, including oxycodone, hydrocodone, amphetamine, lisdexamfetamine, methylphenidate, testosterone, alprazolam, and diazepam, without determining whether there was a legitimate medical purpose for the medications.
Prosecutors allege Dr Morrison wrote, signed, and distributed prescriptions without conducting physical examinations, reviewing available medical and prescribing records, or maintaining records of patient encounters. The indictment further alleges prescriptions were issued upon request, including requests from third parties, without evaluating whether recipients had a legitimate medical need.
“I am proud to contribute to the success of the National Health Care Fraud Takedown again this year,” said U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin.
“Dispensing controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose not only violates federal law, it endangers the lives of the recipients of those powerful drugs.”
“As our country and our state continue to deal with the devastating impacts of the opioid epidemic, it remains vitally important for my office to crack down on fraudulent prescribing practices by medical professionals,” Mr Heekin said.
The charges are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, a nationwide enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals. Federal officials said the cases involve more than $6.5 billion in alleged false claims and schemes tied to health care fraud and opioid abuse.
If convicted, Dr Morrison faces up to 20 years in federal prison on each count. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia Forbes.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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