Southfield Physician's Controlled Substance License

Summarily Suspended for Overprescribing

Media Contact: LARA Communications 517-373-9280
Email: mediainfo@michigan.gov

January 22, 2018 – The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) served an order
summarily suspending the controlled substance license of Southfield physician Solomon Adu-
Beniako. The Michigan Public Health Code provides for summary suspension of licenses when the
public health, safety, or welfare requires emergency action.
LARA also served an accompanying administrative complaint on Adu-Beniako, alleging that he
prescribed controlled substances without good faith and failed to maintain effective controls against
drug diversion.
LARA’s complaint indicates that Adu-Beniako frequently prescribed commonly abused and diverted
medications to patients. Some patients traveled more than 200 miles to his medical office to obtain
controlled substances.
Governor Rick Snyder’s Michigan Prescription Drug and Opioid Abuse Task Force called for a more
comprehensive enforcement program against licensed health professionals and facilities who
participate in overprescribing and over dispensing. Accordingly, LARA created a permanent Drug
Monitoring Section which focuses on identifying, investigating, and pursuing appropriate disciplinary
actions against individuals who overprescribe or divert controlled substances, and individuals and
facilities who over dispense controlled substances.
An order of summary suspension is a temporary measure to protect the public and not a final
determination that a licensee has violated the Public Health Code.