Raleigh Smith, MD, has had his license restricted by the Texas Medical Board for violating several rules, NBC affiliate KRIS 6 News reported March 15.
The board found that Dr. Smith inappropriately wrote prescriptions for family members or others with a close personal relationship; failed to meet the standard of care for six patients who were receiving controlled substances; failed to monitor patients for dependence, diversion or adverse side effects; did not maintain adequate medical records for six patients; left signed, blank prescriptions for controlled substances at his office for his nurse practitioner to use in his absence; and did not adequately supervise a nurse practitioner and several medical assistants.
Nurse practitioners in Texas are only allowed to prescribe medications with physician supervision.
Under the restrictions, Dr. Smith will not be able to use his Texas license to diagnose, treat or prescribe schedule II, III, IV and V controlled substances. He also must refer all his current patients receiving controlled substances for pain to other specialists within 30 days. He will not be allowed to act as a physician for immediate family and cannot prescribe controlled substances to them or himself.
Dr. Smith is one of 27 licensed physicians who are being disciplined by Texas this month.