The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on Monday announced that it issued an Immediate Suspension Order (ISO) to A+ Pharmacy, an independently owned pharmacy in Chattanooga, Tennessee, as its owner was accused of trading prescription drugs for sex.
According to the press release announcing the decision, an ISO “immediately suspends a DEA registrant’s authority to handle controlled substances, due to imminent danger to public health or safety.”
Though the agency did not explain the threat to public safety, Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott described the agency’s allegations against A+ Pharmacy as “nothing short of egregious” in a statement.
“The details of this case are disturbing and go well beyond regulatory infractions,” said Scott. “When the allegations are made public, the community will be stunned.”
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) records show the Chattanooga pharmacy is associated with Nader Rahbe, who is listed as the pharmacist in charge of the business. According to HHS, Rahbe has maintained his personal registration with the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System since 2007.
Rahbe (pictured above) was reportedly charged with trading sexual acts for controlled medications when a local news outlet appeared to capture the moment the Chattanooga Police Department made the arrest. Authorities allege Rahbe began by propositioning one woman, but ultimately completed the arrangement with as many as 30 before being caught by police, according to chattanoogan.com.
Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) records confirm Rahbe was booked into the county jail on Monday. The records show he was charged with selling or possessing listed drugs without a prescription and distributing drugs. They also reveal Rahbe is 77-years-old.
The affidavit alleges that video captured Rahbe’s exchanges with up to 30 women, reported NewsChannel 9, who said authorities claim one video shows the accused, “taking a pharmacy bottle and dumping Phentermine (Schedule 4) and other legend drugs,” directly into one woman’s hands. Rahbe is now charged with the distribution of Schedule 4 drugs and legend drugs, according to the outlet.
Though it’s unclear when Rahbe is alleged to have started trading prescription drugs for sex, he was interviewed by Local 3 News in December, when the pharmacist offered advice about a strain of influenza that was spreading over the winter.
“I advise people to take Vitamin C and zinc daily to boost the immune system, because when you have an immune system lower, you are subject to catch any kind of immune system disease,” Rahbe told the outlet, which reported his pharmacy had been operating in Chattanooga for five years.
Rahbe advised, “Just drink water, much better as Gatorade, because contain mineral, because when you get fever you lose the mineral. The electrolyte, the reason you feel weak.”
The highly publicized DEA action and subsequent arrest come as state lawmakers in the Tennessee General Assembly continue to consider Senate Bill (SB) 2040, which proponents say would benefit independent pharmacies while lowering drug prices.
Under the bill, companies that own pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), the third-party companies that negotiate benefits and drug prices with insurance companies, would be prohibited from vertical integration with pharmacies in Tennessee.
While proponents say it would benefit local pharmacies, CVS has claimed it would cause them to close more than 130 locations, and a new advertising campaign claims it would “jeopardize” TrumpRx, the White House’s new prescription drug pricing initiative unveiled in February.
The group behind the ads, Shaping Health Initiatives for Tomorrow (SHIFT), is currently targeting State Senators Adam Lowe (R-Calhoun), Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City), and Richard Briggs (R-Knoxville), for voting to advance the legislation.
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Tom Pappert is a 2025 recipient of the Dao Prize and the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star. He also reports for the Star News Network. Follow Tom on X. Email tips to [email protected].
