State health agency investigates Hialeah physician

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Sun, Feb. 15, 2004

State health agency investigates Hialeah physician

Associated Press


HIALEAH, Fla. - A South Florida anesthesiologist has been accused by the state Health Department of providing a drug abuser more than 8,000 pills over an 18-month period, including more than 2,000 doses of the painkiller OxyContin.

Citing the case, a department order signed last week restricts Dr. Carola Vargas-Leon from prescribing controlled drugs, although she can still treat patients. The doctor faces a hearing before the Florida Board of Medicine, which could take more action. No date has been set.

A woman who returned a phone message left for the doctor, who also is known as Carola M. Zambrano, said the physician would not comment Sunday.

From 2000 through the end of 2002, Medicaid paid $2.1 million for pills Vargas-Leon prescribed, according to a South Florida Sun-Sentinel analysis of billing records. Just two out of nearly 57,000 medical professionals in Florida prescribed more narcotics.
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http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/breaking_news/7961854.htm