A doctor was arrested Thursday and his medical license suspended, Florida Department of Health revealed.
Dr. James Alexander Cocores, formerly of Southcoast Phychotherapy & Education Associates, is accused of prescribing pain medications without proper examination or medical justification.
Two years ago, in February 2011, Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office received information that while Cocores practiced at Southcoast, he prescribed pain medication to patients without examining them.
Working undercover, deputies set up a sting and although Cocores opened his own medical practice in May 2011, he was visited by an agent for about nine months. The undercover agent posed as a patient with psychiatric issues and a pre-existing back injury. He visited Cocores nine time during which he was prescribed controlled substances without appropriate evaluation.
Cocores was arrested by deputies without incident on charges of drug trafficking and writing unlawful prescriptions. His medical license to practice has been suspended.
“The Department is committed to eradicating pill mills and unlawful prescribing in our state,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “We will not tolerate blatant disregard for patient safety, regulation or ethics in our state. Patient care and safety must be protected.”
