DEA revokes pain specialist’s opioid authority after illegal prescribing scheme

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, August 30, 2026

The DEA has revoked nurse practitioner Joan Rubinger’s authority to prescribe opioids after accusing her of improperly distributing around 260,000 pills over four years to patients in more than 20 states, including high-profile athletes and individuals linked to criminal activity. This enforcement action highlights ongoing challenges in regulating opioid prescriptions amid allegations of widespread misuse in pain management.

Joan Rubinger, a North Carolina-based pain specialist known for treating high-profile athletes, has had her authority to prescribe opioids revoked by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) following allegations of illegal prescribing practices. The DEA accused Rubinger, a nurse practitioner, of distributing controlled substances improperly over a four-year period, providing approximately 260,000 pills to patients across more than 20 states.

Rubinger gained prominence for her work in pain management, claiming an elite clientele that included 169 NFL Pro Bowl players, 29 NBA and WNBA champions, and 15 Olympic medalists. Notable athletes among her patients reportedly included NBA All-Stars Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade, as well as MLB All-Star Fernando Tatis Jr.

Federal authorities presented court documents describing Rubinger’s prescribing model as a “covert and slinking” operation. In one instance, she compared her distribution of opioids to selling hamburgers at a fast-food restaurant. According to a seizure warrant unsealed recently, her patient base extended beyond athletes to include individuals connected to criminal activity, such as members of an Ohio street gang, a confessed drug trafficker from New Jersey, and a model from New York City.

The DEA’s revocation follows a March settlement in which Rubinger agreed to pay $1.4 million to resolve a Justice Department civil complaint. The complaint charged that she dispensed controlled substances—including oxycodone, Percocet, and Xanax—without legitimate medical purpose on hundreds of occasions. As part of the settlement, Rubinger did not admit wrongdoing but consented to permanently cease prescribing controlled medications.

An administrative law judge characterized her conduct as egregious, leading to the DEA’s decision to strip her prescribing privileges. The allegations and subsequent legal actions underscore growing concerns about opioid prescribing practices in pain management and the regulatory challenges of preventing misuse while treating legitimate medical needs.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.