Doctor’s office searched, drug ban imposed

Doctor’s office searched, drug ban imposed

PETERS, Pa. (AP) — A Pittsburgh-area doctor specializing in palliative care isn’t commenting on a raid by state and federal officials who have also suspended him from writing prescriptions for painkillers and other narcotics.

The Peters Township offices of Dr. Oliver Herndon were searched Tuesday and he has not returned a call and refused to speak to reporters who contacted him after the raid. Gary Davis, assistant special agent in charge of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration office in Pittsburgh, says Herndon isn’t charged with crimes, though evidence from the search of his office may be presented to a grand jury.

Davis says the prescription ban was imposed because investigators believe Herndon would be a “threat to the community” if he could still prescribe narcotics.

Herndon can still prescribe other medicines and is not barred from practicing medicine.