Greensburg physician faces possible life in prison for writing illegal Suboxone prescriptions

By Amanda Klein | September 29, 2018

A Greensburg physician was arrested Friday afternoon by federal agents after he was indicted in federal court, where he is alleged to have written illegal prescriptions for buprenorphine, also known as Suboxone, Subutex or  Zubsolv, which is used in the treatment of opioid addiction.

The indictment alleged that Dr. Nabbil Jabbour, 67, dispensed buprenorphine unlawfully 17 times to three different patients between July 27, 2016 and Dec. 13, 2016.  These prescriptions were outside the course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose, according to the indictment.

Jabbour is also charged with defrauding Medicare and Medicaid through his illegal dispensing practices, which resulted in Medicare and Medicaid paying the costs associated with the fraudulent buprenorphine prescriptions.

Between July 26, 2015 and July 25, 2016 Jabbour initiated five cash transactions in excess of $10,000 at the Meadows Casino in Washington, Pennsylvania, the indictment said.

If convicted on all charges, Jabbour faces a possible sentence of  life in prison and a fine of over $2 million.

Amanda Klein can be contacted at amanda.klein@grantstreetnews.com