Billy H. Stout, M.D., Board Secretary
State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision
101 N.E. 51st Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73105-1821
Re: Riddel (“Defendant”); Case No. 23-03-6205
Dear Dr. Stout:
This office has received your request for a written Attorney General Opinion regarding action that the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision intends to take in case 23-03-6205.
The Oklahoma Allopathic Medical and Surgical Licensure and Supervision Act (“Act”) authorizes the Board to revoke or order other appropriate sanctions against the license of a physician for unprofessional conduct.1 59 O.S.2021, § 503.
According to a Board complaint, Defendant prescribed Phentermine to multiple patients in excess of recommended doses and outside the medically accepted standard of care. Defendant also failed to consistently monitor his patients. Further, Defendant failed to appear at the Board hearing on the complaint and is in default. Finding clear and convincing evidence, the Board proposes to indefinitely suspend Defendant’s license pending Defendant’s completion of a pre-approved clinical skills assessment program and appearance before the Board demonstrating compliance with any conditions or limits resulting from the program. The Board may reasonably believe that the proposed action is necessary to deter future violations and to protect the public.
It is, therefore, the official opinion of the Attorney General that the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision has adequate support for the conclusion that this board action advances the State’s policy of protecting the health, safety, and well-being of the citizens of Oklahoma.
ROB JOHNSON
General Counsel
1Oklahoma statutes and the Board rules define “unprofessional conduct” to include: (1) failure to prescribe a drug in a “safe, medically accepted manner;” (2) “[p]rescribing . . . controlled substances or narcotic drugs in excess of the amount considered good medical practice” or “without medical need in accordance with published standard[s];” (4) failure to maintain records which “accurately reflect[] the evaluation, treatment, and medical necessity of treatment” or “to support . . . [the] prescribed medications.” 59 O.S.2021, § 509(12), (16)(a), (18), (21); OAC 435:10-7-4(1–2), (41).
