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News Release — April 15, 2002
MEDICAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA
April 15, 2002
Hearing on Colton Physician's Practice Restriction
Scheduled for April 16
SACRAMENTO-The Medical Board of California will seek a complete suspension of the license of Jon Steven Opsahl, M.D., of Colton, at the San Diego Office of Administrative Hearings on April 16, 2002, at 11 a.m. On December 4, 2001, Opsahl stipulated to a partial Interim Suspension Order (ISO), requested by a Deputy Attorney General on behalf of the Medical Board. The Order prohibits Opsahl from prescribing Cipro over the Internet for Anthrax without a good faith prior examination of patients; and from prescribing prescription drugs, including over the Internet, without a good faith prior examination and medical indication therefor.
In its earlier Petition, the Medical Board alleged that Opsahl had prescribed over 1,000 Cipro tablets to patients over the Internet for Anthrax, without first performing a good faith physical examination, as required by Business and Professions Code sections 2242(a) and 2242.1, a new law which specifically prohibits anyone from prescribing drugs over the Internet without a good faith physical examination and a medical indication, and gives the Medical Board the authority to fine a person found to have violated this law up to $25,000 per occurrence. At the hearing on April 16, the Attorney General's Office on behalf of the Board will allege that Opsahl has failed to comply with the ISO by continuing to prescribe over the Internet since December 4, 2001; that prior to the ISO he prescribed dangerous drugs to patients over the Internet without a good faith examination; and that he lied about his Internet prescribing practices when interviewed by Board investigators.
Opsahl asked Administrative Law Judge Stephen Hjelt that he be allowed to testify at the April 16 hearing, and Judge Hjelt has granted that request.
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The Medical Board of California is the state agency responsible for licensing and regulating physicians in this state.
To check on the license status of a particular physician, visit the Board's Web site at www.medbd.ca.gov, or call the Medical Board's Consumer Information Line at (916) 263-2382.
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