CT doc faces fine for improper prescribing. His medical license had been restricted in another state
The state Medical Examining Board voted Tuesday to recommend imposing a civil penalty of $5,000 on a Connecticut doctor and to reprimand him based on his improper prescribing of controlled substances via telemedicine.
Dr. Trung Nam Nguyen had his medical license restricted by the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure in March 2023, but the order was lifted as of April 1, according to the state Department of Public Health’s consent order.
The Connecticut examining board’s recommendation was based on the Kentucky board’s initial action.
The examining board’s recommendation goes to the state health department for a decision. However, Nguyen’s medical license lapsed on Feb. 29 and he does not intend to renew it, according to the consent order.
Members of the examining board also held a discussion about House Bill 5290, which they said limits the board to giving medical professionals civil penalties of no more than $10,000 for charges that come before it.
“Tying our hands is outrageous,” said board member Michele Jacklin. “I just think this is outrageous that this happened, that we can’t penalize a doctor, even in egregious cases, for more than $10,000.”
“Being a doctor, I’m also outraged,” said Dr. Steven Wolf.
“This should not have happened,” said Dr. Robert Green. “We’ve had patients who die, we have recidivist doctors and so on. Our job, our responsibility is to protect the public.”
Kathryn Emmett, chairwoman of the board, and others also said that there was no communication with the board from the health department or the Public Health Committee, which introduced the bill.
“If there are issues with some doctors (who) cannot afford a penalty, that is something we should certainly be aware of,” Emmett said. “But it doesn’t mean that taking away our ability to have an impact is a smart move by the legislature. It seems to me wholly ill advised.”
Ed Stannard can be reached at estannard@courant.com.
