Tampa Bay Criminal Defense Lawyer - Doctors and Pills

By Nick Dorsten, Esq.

While we have blogged often about the pain pill epidemic in Pinellas county, Florida (see here and here), this article from the Times on line tells of local doctors getting their medical license suspended for overprescribing prescription pills...

TAMPA — State health officials on Thursday announced the emergency suspension of a Tampa doctor's license, accusing the Tampa doctor of writing excessive prescriptions for powerful painkillers that may have contributed to a patient's death.

The Florida Board of Medicine has long been aware of concerns about the man's practices. In 2007, he was fined $12,500 for inappropriately prescribing narcotics and other drugs. His medical license was suspended after he failed to comply with the terms of his discipline.

The doctor, 53, did not comment on his suspension. A representative answering the phone at his Medical Group on Busch Boulevard said he was working there but unavailable. The complaints leading to his suspension were from his time practicing at Harbour Medical Group in Lutz, a pain clinic which has since been closed.

In ordering his license suspended, state health officials cited the case of a 37-year-old man who came to see the doc for arthritis pain and anxiety. Over several visits, the man was prescribed large quantities of oxycodone and Xanax without reviewing the patient's medical history, records show.

In March, the doctor discharged the patient after receiving a tip that he was abusing the medications. Several weeks later, the patient died from problems including a cardiac condition associated with long-term drug abuse.

Health officials also faulted the doctor for increasing another patient's regimen until he was being prescribed 795 pain pills, including 495 oxycodone tablets, in a single visit to the doctor!

Have you or a loved one been arrested for possession of a controlled substance or drug trafficking? Then contact the Clearwater criminal defense attorneys of Blake & Dorsten, P.A. for a free consultation!

For more information, or to speak directly with experienced Clearwater criminal defense lawyers,please contact BLAKE & DORSTEN, P.A. at 727.286.6141 or email the lawyers your questions at: info@blakedorstenlaw.com. We are located at 4707 140th Ave N, Suite 104 in Clearwater, across from the criminal courthouse in the airport business center, minutes from Tampa and St. Petersburg.