Doctor Fined For Ordering Drugs

Dr. Deborah M. Moran, a Harvard Medical School instructor of psychiatry, was reprimanded and fined $10,000 by the state Board of Registration in Medicine for ordering large amounts of anti-depressants for herself through a mail order drug company.

The board's reprimand said that Moran ordered "large amounts of controlled substances through Interstate Drug Exchange (IDE), a mail order drug supply company."

Moran ordered large quantities of Xanax, Ativan, and Didrex between July 13, 1990 and August 12, 1992, said Alexander F. Fleming from the board. According to the Physicians' Desk Reference, Xanax and Ativan are prescribed for short term relief of anxiety or anxiety that is associated with depression. Didrex is administered to manage exogenous obesity.

The board fined Moran the maximum allowable amount of $10,000 and ordered her to complete 50 hours of continuing medical education courses in psychopharmacology. In addition, Moran surrendered her registration to prescribe controlled substances, according to Fleming.

However, her prescriptive authority can be reinstated after application to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Robert J. Ward of the Masschusetts Medical Society said it is against the regulations of a doctor's license to prescribe medication for herself or for her family. Ward added that such prescribing of medicine is not common practice.

"Obviously, the board found her infraction to be a gross one by fining her the maximum amount allow- able," Ward said.

Moran, who is acting chief of psychiatry atCambridge Hospital, performs administrativeduties, teaches Harvard Medical School residentsin psychiatry, and maintains a small privatepractice.

B.D. Colen, a spokesperson for Harvard MedicalSchool said, "Officials at Harvard Medical Schoolare aware of the action by the state and arelooking into the matter."

Moran could not be reached for commentyesterday.

Cambridge Hospital administrator John O'Brienis supporting Moran completely and does not planany additional disciplinary action, according toLinda Chin, a spokesperson for the hospital.

According to a statement released by the board,Moran told DEA agents that she had only placed twoorders with IDE, but she had actually placed 25.

Moran did not keep any records of thecontrolled medications which she ordered, althoughsuch recordkeeping is required by state andfederal laws.

The board's press release stated that theamounts of Xanax and Ativan "were in excess of theamounts necessary for the therapeutic dosesprescribed by her treating psychiatrist."

The board's statement says that Moran claimedthat she disposed of the excess medication and didnot take it.

Moran further explained that she took theDidrex "because she was under a great deal ofpressure at work and needed to stay alert for longhours in order to perform her work," according tothe board statement

Moran, who is acting chief of psychiatry atCambridge Hospital, performs administrativeduties, teaches Harvard Medical School residentsin psychiatry, and maintains a small privatepractice.

B.D. Colen, a spokesperson for Harvard MedicalSchool said, "Officials at Harvard Medical Schoolare aware of the action by the state and arelooking into the matter."

Moran could not be reached for commentyesterday.

Cambridge Hospital administrator John O'Brienis supporting Moran completely and does not planany additional disciplinary action, according toLinda Chin, a spokesperson for the hospital.

According to a statement released by the board,Moran told DEA agents that she had only placed twoorders with IDE, but she had actually placed 25.

Moran did not keep any records of thecontrolled medications which she ordered, althoughsuch recordkeeping is required by state andfederal laws.

The board's press release stated that theamounts of Xanax and Ativan "were in excess of theamounts necessary for the therapeutic dosesprescribed by her treating psychiatrist."

The board's statement says that Moran claimedthat she disposed of the excess medication and didnot take it.

Moran further explained that she took theDidrex "because she was under a great deal ofpressure at work and needed to stay alert for longhours in order to perform her work," according tothe board statement