An Oakton doctor, David Allingham, 64, pleaded guilty today to charges tied to his illegal distribution of opioids and amphetamines, misuse of his medical practice, and making false statements related to health care matters.
For years, Allingham, the sole medically licensed practitioner at Oakton Primary Care Center (OPCC), prescribed thousands of doses of controlled substances like oxycodone and amphetamines without proper medical evaluations or legitimate medical purposes. Between April 2019 and January 2024, Allingham’s prescriptions for oxycodone alone totaled more than 405,000 pills, filled across approximately 7,330 prescriptions in Virginia pharmacies.
Profiting From Pain
Patients at OPCC were required to pay out-of-pocket for office visits, ranging from $300 to $550, with additional fees for doctor’s letters or renewals. Despite requiring chronic pain patients to visit the practice every three weeks, many consultations were conducted by phone with untrained staff instead of Allingham himself. These shortcuts and questionable practices enabled him to generate significant profits while fueling a dangerous cycle of addiction.
Even as multiple pharmacies flagged his prescribing patterns and refused to fill his prescriptions, Allingham sought to bypass oversight by steering patients toward smaller, independently owned pharmacies.
Ignoring Warning Signs
Allingham frequently overlooked failed urine drug screenings and falsified medical records to justify continued prescriptions. In one case, a patient who failed 40 drug tests between 2019 and 2023 continued receiving prescriptions for oxycodone. Allingham documented one failed test as a result of handling cocaine-contaminated money.
Authorities also discovered that Allingham prescribed amphetamines for weight loss to numerous patients, including those who were not obese—violating medical guidelines.
Tragic Consequences
Several patients died of drug overdoses shortly after receiving oxycodone prescriptions from Allingham. Despite these alarming outcomes, he continued operating his practice without significant changes until law enforcement intervened.
Fraudulent Practices
Allingham also engaged in identity fraud by using another doctor’s credentials to write prescriptions for himself and his family, instructing employees to cover for him if questioned. Additionally, he directed staff to delete communications that could implicate him further.
Law enforcement raided Allingham’s home and medical office in July 2023, uncovering evidence of the widespread scheme.
What’s Next?
Allingham faces sentencing on April 30 and could receive up to 20 years in prison. Federal sentencing guidelines and the judge’s discretion will ultimately determine the length of his sentence.
This case highlights the devastating impact of unchecked prescription practices, which have contributed to the opioid crisis in Virginia and beyond.