Medical board rejects offer from pill doctor, reaffirms suspension

The Alaska State Medical Board on Thursday rejected a proposal by an Anchorage anesthesiologist to walk away from his medical license, and instead kept in place the emergency suspension of his license over allegations that he prescribed deadly levels of painkillers.

The board's decision rejecting the surrender of Mahmood Ahmad's license as a settlement to state allegations leaves open the possibility that the board could ultimately revoke the license following hearings set to begin late this month. Ahmad's main practice is in Arkansas, where his license is also under challenge.

In an earlier hearing in late May challenging the board's emergency suspension, Ahmad rebuffed allegations that he runs a "pill mill" out of his office at United Pain Care clinic on Lake Otis Parkway. He said he safely meets the needs of his clients.

The board's action on Thursday came as Alaska's opioid crisis received national attention, with U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and other top officials hearing from Alaskans at an event in Palmer addressing the state's crisis with opioid painkillers and heroin.

Read more: http://www.adn.com/alaska-news/health/2016/08/04/medical-board-rejects-offer-from-pill-doctor-continues-license-suspension/