Dr. Christian Ellis Hageseth was denied a bail reduction yesterday by a California judge in an internet pharmacy case in which the state alleges that Hageseth was “practicing medicine without a license in California.” This case raises a number of unique jurisdictional issues with respect to online pharmacy operations. Hageseth has, so far unsuccessfully, argued that it is impossible to illegally practice medicine in California when the prescription was allegedly issued by Hageseth via the internet outside the state of California. According to the San Mateo Daily Journal, the charge stems from a 2005 Prozac prescription issued over the internet, via USAnewRX.com, and shipped from Mississippi’s Gruich Pharmacy Shoppe to John McKay, a Stanford University student, who later committed suicide.
The content on this post does not constitute legal advice and is for informational purposes only. You should not act upon the information presented on this website without seeking the advice of legal counsel. Should you wish to speak to an experienced criminal defense attorney knowledgeable in internet pharmacy, prescription, and drug law, please feel free to contact me directly.
