Doctors Are Practicing Medicine Despite Their Drug Problems
What if you found out that your doctor was a drug addict? You would probably be very concerned and would most likely find another physician. An article by The Washington Post titled, “Medical Boards Let Physicians Practice Despite Drug Abuse,” revealed numerous cases where doctors were allowed to continue treating patients, despite the fact that they had drug abuse problems.
One case involved a Virginia physician, John F. Pholeric, Jr. According to The Washington Post article, Pholeric struggled on and off with a cocaine addiction, was in and out of rehab and was even convicted of a felony charge. What was frightening is that at the same time this situation was going on, Pholeric was practicing medicine. Pholeric admitted to snorting cocaine “three to four times per week” in his office in 1999. Based on Virginia and District medical board records, he stole drugs from the hospitals in which he worked and also wrote more than 40 fraudulent prescriptions.
What actions were taken by the Virginia Board of Medicine? The medical board took up Pholeric’s case several times, but never revoked his license to practice.
Pholeric’s situation is not unique. The Virginia Board of Medicine’s records show that an Arlington ophthalmologist performed cataract surgery under the influence and a Loudoun County gastroenterologist injected himself with his patient’s painkillers.
The executive director of the Virginia Board of Medicine said that when the board is aware of an impaired physician, it will take quick action. However, he did admit that the system has flaws.