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News Release — July 11, 2003
MEDICAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA
July 11, 2003
Medical Board
Accusation Leads to Suspension of Ventura County
Physician's Medical License and Probation
SACRAMENTO—Facing a formal Accusation of wrongdoing by the Medical Board of California, Oxnard physician Michael Huff, M.D. has agreed to a nine-month suspension of his license to practice medicine in California. Once the period of suspension is completed, his medical license will be placed on probation for seven years. The Stipulated Settlement and Disciplinary Order was effective July 7, 2003.
The Medical Board accused Huff of violating Business and Professions Code section 725 for excessively prescribing highly addictive medications to five patients, which ultimately resulted in two patients needing detoxification treatment. Further, he violated sections 2242 and 4172 for furnishing dangerous drugs without a good faith prior examination and for dispensing controlled substances to patients from unsecured areas.
On February 26, 2003, upon entering the front office of Huff's medical office to serve a search warrant, a Medical Board investigator and a detective found a safe standing open which contained bottles of a Schedule II controlled substance. The safe was located in a community access area for all staff working in the office. Additionally, Huff had a closet in his office which contained numerous medications including Schedule II controlled substances. The law requires that a prescriber who dispenses drugs shall store all drugs to be dispensed in an area that is secure.
During probation, Huff is prohibited from practicing any pain management or addiction medicine. He cannot prescribe, administer, dispense, order, or possess any controlled substances as defined by the California Uniform Controlled substances Act (except for Schedule IV and V drugs). Huff, himself, must abstain completely from the personal use or possession of controlled substances.
Per the numerous terms and conditions of Huff's probation, he must within 90 days from the effective date, enroll in the Physician Assessment and Clinical Education Program (PACE), which assesses physical and mental health, neuropsychological performance, basic clinical and communication skills, medical knowledge, and skill and judgment pertaining to specialty or sub-specialty. Additionally, he must complete 40 hours per year of approved medical education programs or courses. Following completion of each course, the Board may administer an examination to test his knowledge of the course. He also must submit to random urine testing.
Huff was ordered to reimburse the Board in the amount of $30,000 for costs associated with investigation and prosecution. He must also pay the costs associated with probation monitoring each year of probation. Failure to pay costs within the required time period will constitute a violation of probation.
The mission of the Medical Board is to protect healthcare consumers through the proper licensing and regulation of physicians and surgeons and certain allied healthcare professions and through the vigorous, objective enforcement of the Medical Practice Act.
If you have a question or complaint about the healthcare you are receiving, the Board encourages you to visit its Web site www.medbd.ca.gov or for questions call the Consumer Information Line at (916) 263-2382, or with complaints call (800) 633-2322.
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