A West Virginia doctor who for years prescribed addictive, dangerous drugs to patients for complaints outside his specialty has lost his medical license.

Dr. Alexander Otellin, a psychiatrist, prescribed oxycodone to a patient for pain management, an action that was, he admitted in court, “without a legitimate medical purpose, outside the usual course of medical practice, and without proper authority.” Dr. Otellin knew at the time that the patient was also using heroin and fentanyl, and that he was also receiving opiates from his regular doctor.

The case against Dr. Otellin, which was tried in federal court after he fled to Russia and Armenia and was extradited back to the U.S., noted that he had also prescribed opiates and amphetamines to two patients who overdosed on them and died.

While there can be exceptions, medical license holders can usually only prescribe medications for complaints that fall within their specialty. Doctors who prescribe medicines for conditions other than those they're actually treating can lose their license. The Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team can help. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or send us a message through our website.

How Medical Licensing Boards Respond

Dr. Otellin's misuse of the prescription pad caught up with him after at least three local pharmacists notified the Drug Enforcement Administration. Upon Dr. Otellin's conviction in federal court, the West Virginal Medical Board would have launched its own investigation.

In addition to criminal arrests and convictions, violations that are likely to lead to suspension or revocation of a doctor's license in any state include:

• Prescribing medications outside of their licensed specialty or recklessly prescribing controlled substances
• Abusing patients
• Negligence resulting in injury
• Insurance fraud, over-billing, and falsifying patient diagnoses

Doctors who write prescriptions for medications used to treat conditions outside of their practice area are unlikely to do so for very long. Pharmacists, probation officers, other physicians, and even the patients themselves may alert the licensing board to prescribing misconduct.

Tough Penalties for Violating Prescriber Rules

If, after investigating the claims against a physician accused of prescribing medications inappropriately and holding hearings on the matter, a state medical licensing board finds against the doctor, the penalties can be severe. Dr. Otellin lost his West Virginia license altogether. However, even lesser penalties can damage a medical professional's career.

These can include:

• A probationary period, where the physician is monitored to ensure their adherence to professional standards
• Conditions such as counseling or treatment for drug or alcohol abuse
• License restrictions that limit their ability to perform certain tasks
• Hefty fines or a public reprimand
• Temporary license suspension

Any of these punishments can ruin a doctor's practice and career and upend his or her life. Physicians who've worked hard to earn their medical license and do their best for their patients deserve better.

The Lento Law Firm Can Help

The Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm helps medical professionals nationwide defend their licenses every day. If your license is under threat, we can help you, too. Call us at 888-535-3686 or send us a message online, and we'll get started.