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Joint Investigation Leads To Arrest In Fort Pierce

By Florida Department of Health, Office of Communications

October 02, 2015

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Oct. 2, 2015

JOINT INVESTIGATION LEADS TO ARREST IN FORT PIERCE

 

Contact:
Communications Office
NewsMedia@flhealth.gov
(850) 245-4111

Tallahassee, Fla.—The Florida Department of Health’s Jupiter Unlicensed Activity (ULA) Unit announced that their joint investigation with the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, and Fort Pierce Police Department has led to the arrest of Forhad Hossen and Jamir Uddin for practicing as pharmacists without being duly licensed, a third-degree felony and punishable by up to one year in jail. Mohammed Abulhasem Chowdhurdy was issued a notice to appear for conspiracy.    

The joint operation was conducted at Orange Avenue Mobile, located at 4171 Orange Avenue, Fort Pierce, FL, 34950, where undercover agents from the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, Ft. Pierce District Office, purchased prescription male enhancement pills. The department issued Forhad Hossen and Jamir Uddin notices to cease and desist from practicing as pharmacists without a valid license. Mohammed Abulhasem Chowdhurdy was issued a notice to cease and desist for aiding and abetting the practice of pharmacy without a valid license and for the unlicensed operation of a pharmacy. The department also issued Orange Avenue Mobile a notice to cease and desist from operating as a pharmacy without a pharmacy license.  

The department has several resources to combat unlicensed activity:

  • Consumers are encouraged to use the department’s website www.flhealthsource.gov where they can conveniently view the license information of their health care practitioner.
  • Complaints may be filed anonymously by completing and mailing the complaint form on the Florida Department of Health’s website, calling 1-877-HALT-ULA, or emailing HALTULA@flhealth.gov.

The department’s Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) investigates and refers for prosecution all unlicensed health care activity complaints and allegations. The ULA Unit works in conjunction with law enforcement and the state attorney’s offices to prosecute individuals practicing without a license. In many instances, unlicensed activity is a felony level criminal offense. More importantly, receiving health care from unlicensed people is dangerous and can result in further injury, disease or even death.      

Working in conjunction with 22 boards and six councils, MQA regulates seven types of facilities and 200-plus license types in more than 40 health care professions. MQA evaluates the credentials of all applicants for licensure, issues licenses, analyzes and investigates complaints, inspects facilities, assists in prosecuting practice act violations, combats unlicensed activity and provides credential and discipline history about licensees to the public. Visit http://www.flhealthsource.gov for additional information about MQA.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

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