State officials barred Clifton Orthopedic Associates owner Evangelos Megariotis, MD, from prescribing opioids after allegedly freely overprescribing patients for years, according to Patch.
Here are five notes:
1. Dr. Megariotis allegedly ignored patients' signs they were abusing opioids or filling prescriptions for illegal purposes. State officials also allege the orthopedic surgeon engaged in professional misconduct and gross negligence in treating patients between 2012 and 2017.
2. State officials required Dr. Megariotis to stop practicing until the Board of Medical Examiners approves a supervisor to be present during his visits with patients.
3. Dr. Megariotis' misconduct allegations include keeping patients on opioids for years without reason, failing to properly diagnose patients, treating patients for conditions outside his expertise and performing surgery without establishing medical reason.
4. Investigators allege the orthopedic surgeon discouraged a patient from using illegal drugs by telling the patient "anything that drugs can do on the street, my medications will do better and safer." He is also banned from prescribing Prozac.
5. The orthopedic surgeon allegedly treated post-traumatic stress disorder without reviewing a patient's medical history or conducting a physical exam.