4 years ago
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The state medical board was investigating Doctor Randeep Mann for allegedly prescribing excessive amounts of narcotics to patients he knew, or should have known, had histories of drug abuse. The board says nine of Mann?s patients died from a lethal mix of drugs or an overdose of prescription medicines.
The board could have permanently revoked Dr. Mann?s medical license, but instead accepted an offer from him to give up his authority to write prescriptions for narcotics like Oxycontin, Hydrocodone and Methadone.
It?s an agreement neither his supporters nor his opponents are completely happy about.
"It?s not the best outcome, but I?m proud of what the board did," says the mother of one of Mann's deceased patients.
The woman, who asked not to be identified, came to the hearing hoping Dr. Mann?s medical license would be revoked. She blames him, at least in part, for her 21-year-old daughter's fatal drug overdose in 2001. "He knew Ellie's history," she says. "He knew she had abused street drugs. He knew that she had been in drug rehab twice and he said he could help us and the result is my daughter is forever 21. She's in heaven. He taught her how to trade her addiction to street drugs for Hydrocodone."
Dr. Mann denies those allegations, but in a fight for his livelihood, the 47 year old who says he's never taken a day off from work, agreed to voluntarily give up his Drug Enforcement Agency privileges in Arkansas.
Mann?s attorney, Drake Mann, says, "It adds a certain resolution that will enable Dr. Mann to continue to practice medicine which is what he wants to do the most."
State Medical Board attorney Bill Trice says, "For the patients that are not being treated with scheduled medication it will not effect them at all. He can still continue to diagnose and treat patients. If they are patients who are in need of scheduled medications he will need to refer those patients to other physicians that have exhibited better standards of care."
Mann's attorney says his client is now just ready to move on and get back to the job he loves.
Drake Mann says, "I hope he reopens as soon as he gets back to Russellville."
Dozens of Dr. Mann?s patients showed up at the hearing in his defense and say they will continue to seek his care.
Under the settlement, Mann is also barred from hiring any nurse practitioners or physicians at his clinic as a way to get around the prescription prohibition.
This was the second time Dr. Randeep Mann appeared before the board for disciplinary action. In 2003 his DEA privileges were revoked for one year for over prescribing narcotics.
