Board of Medical Examiners Temporarily Suspends License of Marlboro Physician For Alleged Indiscriminate Prescribing of Prescription Pain Medications
NEWARK - The New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners, within the State Division of Consumer Affairs, has temporarily suspended the license of Dr. Philip Pollen, a Marlboro physician who has been accused of indiscriminately prescribing pain medications.
Pollen's license to practice medicine in New Jersey will remain suspended pending further order of the Board.
"Prescription drug abuse is a deadly epidemic," Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said. "The allegations against this physician are very disturbing. While these investigations continue, the Board of Medical Examiners correctly acted to protect the public by temporarily halting his practice."
An Interim Consent Order, signed by Pollen, notes that he is under investigation for allegedly having written prescriptions without evaluating patients, and that he indiscriminately prescribed medication for a patient's back pain even after an MRI showed negative results. He also allegedly dropped off prescriptions at a local pharmacy for patients to pick up. According to the Consent Order, this investigation is ongoing.
The Consent Order also notes that Pollen's South Amboy office has been closed due to non-payment of taxes.
"The State of New Jersey is bringing every available resource to bear in the fight against the diversion and abuse of deadly, addictive prescription drugs," Eric T. Kanefsky, Director of the State Division of Consumer Affairs, said. "I commend our Enforcement Bureau and the Board of Medical Examiners for taking swift action in this case."
At the Division's direction, patients of Dr. Pollen in need of medical assistance are being told to go to nearby hospitals.
In a previous matter, Pollen had been arrested in April 2010 by the Matawan Police Department on one count of possession/use of a controlled dangerous substance and two counts of possession of certain prescription drugs. In July 2010, Monmouth County Superior Court charged him with one count of possession of a controlled dangerous substance or analog. He was granted pretrial intervention, and ordered to be evaluated by the Physician's Assistance Program. He remained in the PAP from October 2010 through February 2011, according to the Consent Order.
Pollen agreed on Wednesday, July 24, to temporarily surrender his license to practice medicine in New Jersey. He also agreed to surrender his State Controlled Drug Registration and his Federal Drug Enforcement Registration.
He also agreed that, prior to any reinstatement of his license, he will undergo a neuropsychological evaluation; and undergo a physician's skills evaluation. Any reinstatement would still require further order of the Board of Medical Examiners.
Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other
form of consumer abuse, can file an online complaint
with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey)
or 973-504- 6200.
Follow the Division of Consumer Affairs on
Facebook , and check our online calendar of upcoming
Consumer Outreach events.
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