Farrell dentist named in drug scheme

FARRELL, Pa. — A Farrell dentist and some members of her staff are charged with fraudulently filling drug prescriptions.

Dr. Tamara Lowe, 46, of Roemer Road, Farrell was charged Tuesday and is scheduled to surrender on Wednesday for preliminary arraignment on charges of insurance fraud, violating the controlled substance act and criminal conspiracy, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office.

Three members of her staff were arraigned Tuesday before District Justice Ronald Antos and released.

Kristi Brown, 19, of East Market Street, Sharon; Tawana Battles-Robinson, 35, of Sherman Avenue, Sharon; and Brandi Shrawder, 22, of North Street, West Middlesex; are each charged with insurance fraud and criminal conspiracy.

According to criminal complaints filed to support the charges, investigators were first alerted by the pharmacy at Wal-Mart in Hermitage, Pa., that they were receiving many call-in prescriptions from Dr. Lowe for large amounts of Vicodin, Percocet and other controlled substances. The prescriptions were for the same patients each month and sometimes picked up by Dr. Lowe, court papers stated.

There were multiple prescriptions for Brown, Battles-Robinson and Shrawder called in by Dr. Lowe, according to court papers.

Schrawder told authorities Dr. Lowe called in prescriptions for Schrawder for back pain or allergies and she would pick up the prescriptions and give half to the dentist. Dr. Lowe would sometimes put the prescription bottle on a shelf and distribute the pills to patients and other times she would not   see the bottle again, according to court papers.

Court papers stated Dr. Lowe had similar dealings with Brown and Battles-Robinson.