Weight Loss Clinic Owner, Doctor Held in Drug Case
The owner of a Whittier weight loss clinic and a doctor who worked there were arrested Tuesday in connection with prescribing the drug combination known as fen-phen, which was withdrawn from the market earlier this year after being linked to potentially life-threatening heart valve problems, authorities said.
Maryanne Vogel, who owns the Better Body Weight Loss Clinic, and Dr. Gerald Anderson were booked Tuesday and will be arraigned in Los Angeles today, authorities said.
They were charged with obtaining medicine through fraud and deceit and possession of a controlled substance for sale, officials said. Vogel was charged with practicing medicine without a license, and Anderson was charged with aiding and abetting.
Marc Posalski, senior investigator with the Medical Board of California, which conducted the investigation, said more than 25 pounds of fen-phen was seized at the clinic.
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