ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, November 1, 1996 TAG: 9611010067
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
A Washington, D.C., physician who had his Virginia medical license revoked for overprescribing narcotics to chronic pain patients will get his license back on a restricted basis Nov. 10.
The restricted license won't let Dr. William E. Hurwitz prescribe narcotics for nine months, and then only if he completes 250 hours of continuing medical education and affiliates with a pain-management practice approved by the director of the Virginia Board of Medicine.
Hurwitz treated about 220 chronic pain patients throughout the country by prescribing huge doses of narcotics. The Virginia Board of Medicine began investigating him after two of his patients died. The board revoked his license Aug. 10.
Hurwitz said he doesn't think he will reopen his office anytime soon because of the restrictions placed on prescribing drugs. Instead, he'll focus on fulfilling the board's education requirements.
Meanwhile, his patients are having varying degrees of success finding new doctors to take over their health care.
``I would say maybe 25 percent of them have been able to maintain the same level of care,'' said David Lamborne, a member of the board of directors of the National Chronic Pain Outreach Association.
``Fifty percent are in the same category as myself: They have continuing care, but it's not adequate,'' Lamborne said. ``And 25 percent are still in search of a doctor, going from state to state trying to find someone to take care of them.''
Many doctors are wary of prescribing large doses of narcotics, even though chronic pain patients say it is often the only way to combat constant pain.
Hurwitz said one of his patients committed suicide in September. In a videotaped statement, the man said he couldn't take the pain and blamed the board for his death, Hurwitz said.
Another Hurwitz patient has filed a class action lawsuit against John Hasty, director of the Virginia Department of Health Professions; the state Board of Medicine; Gov. George Allen; and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Hurwitz is suing the board in federal court, alleging that it violated his and his patients' constitutional rights. He has been interviewed for the CBS-TV news show, ``60 Minutes.''
LENGTH: Medium: 51 linesby CNB