From the Bradford Era
By Kate Day Sager
A doctor who had been operating an opiate treatment center for several months in the Town of Carrollton Municipal Complex in Limestone, N.Y., has voluntarily surrendered his license to prescribe narcotics to patients at the facility. Dr. Reed Haag confirmed that he had his license recently suspended by the New York Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Haag said he lost his license due to a technical issue. Haag, who also has an office in Wellsville, had decided to open the office in Limestone last year to better serve patients from communities that include Limestone, Olean and Salamanca, as well as Bradford, Smethport and Warren in Pennsylvania. Edward Orgon, resident agent in charge with the DEA in Buffalo, said agents conducted “enforcement action” May 31 at Haag’s office in Wellsville, resulting in the license suspension. He said Haag can reapply for his license, but the decision of reinstatement would likely be up to the Medical Board of New York State. “He can reapply, but he’ll have to go through a procedure,” Orgon said of Haag. “It will probably be a lengthy process — he could get it back, but he could never get it back.” Special agent Erin Mulvey, who serves as the public information officer for the DEA, also confirmed that Haag had voluntarily surrendered his license following the agents’ visit. In commenting on the issue, Haag said that while working at the Limestone center one day a week, he didn’t have access to a computer in that office. “What I would do is call the nursing manager (at the Wellsville office) and she would electronically (process) the prescription,” Haag said, claiming the nurse kept well-documented records for the prescriptions. “The DEA found out I was in one place, but the prescriptions were coming from another and they said that was a no-no. They did pull my ability to prescribe narcotics.” Haag said when he explained the situation to the DEA, he was told he had made a “stupid mistake” and let him reapply for his license a couple of weeks ago. “How long it’s going to take (for a new license) I’m not sure,” Haag said. “But what I’m also doing is trying to find another provider to work with me.” He said if another professional did come on board, he would hope to work in collaboration with the individual, who could electronically process prescriptions after he reviewed the patient’s history, physical information and urine/blood screens. “I’ve been calling the patients and (conveyed) that things are still up in the air and that I’m not 100 percent sure” of the outcome, he added. “I don’t know what’s going on with regard to my reapplying for my ability to prescribe.” Haag said if all goes well, he is hopeful to receive a new license within two to three weeks. “There are so many physicians who have lost their licenses for stupid reasons, like diverting drugs to other people or taking drugs themselves,” he continued. “The only thing I did was I didn’t have access to a computer, so I called my nurse (in Wellsville) to take care of the prescriptions.” Haag noted he didn’t lose his physician’s license, therefore he could see patients for other maladies, such as high blood pressure or other medical issues. “The only thing I can’t do is prescribe controlled substances like oxycontin, valium or things like that,” he explained. Haag said he didn’t visit the Limestone center this week and instead called his patients and cancelled the appointments. “There is a website and a phone number I’m giving (the patients) where they can find providers near them,” Haag added, noting the website is www.insupport.com. When the individuals provide a zip code they will learn of providers near them. Haag said there are several area physicians who have indicated they can accept his Pennsylvania and New York state patients. On a final note, Haag said that until he receives a new license, he’s just sitting and waiting “and being very frustrated. “I went up to that area (in Limestone) because it was a small town and a physiciandepleted area,” Haag lamented. “I was trying to be a nice guy, but because I didn’t have a computer they’re slapping me on the wrist.”
