N.C. Medical Board Takes Action Against Doctor for Writing Online Cipro Prescriptions
The North Carolina Medical Board on Friday took action against a physician who has been writing online prescriptions for the anthrax antibiotic Cipro, the Wall Street Journal reports. The board alleged that Dr. Michael Ross "engaged in unprofessional conduct," citing him for "prescribing irregularities," "fee splitting" and "assisting the unauthorized practice of medicine" through his work for VirtualMedicalGroup, based in Morrisville, N.C. (Angwin, Wall Street Journal, 10/29). The Internet company links patients with doctors who write online prescriptions for medications, including Cipro. A company subsidiary, 1stOnlinePharmacy.com, sends the drugs to patients (California Healthline, 10/23). Ross, who lives in Myrtle Beach, S.C., faces possible revocation of his medical license in North Carolina. According to the Journal, the action is "likely to be the first among many." Online prescribing is not illegal in most states, but the Federation of State Medical Boards and other industry groups have called for state medical boards to take action against doctors offering online prescriptions to patients they have never met (Wall Street Journal, 10/29).