NJ Division of Consumer Board of Medical Examiners Suspends License of
North Jersey Doctor Due to Findings That He Prescribed Steroids Without
Adequate Patient Examinations or Patient Care
NEWARK – The New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners has temporarily suspended the
license of a Passaic County physician, and required him to undergo ethics training, due to
findings that he prescribed steroids at an anti-aging clinic without adequately examining patients
or ensuring adequate patient care.
James W. Goodnight is the owner and medical director of Dr. Goodnight's Center for
Everlasting Beauty, in Haledon, which offers cosmetic surgery and anti-aging treatments. He
has also prescribed hormones including testosterone which is a Controlled Dangerous
Substance under New Jersey and federal law.
"Nationwide, testosterone and other steroids are surging in popularity as purported anti-aging
treatments, leading to concerns about whether doctors are truly weighing their known risks and
providing clear information to patients," Acting New Jersey Attorney General John J. Hoffman
said. "New Jersey is taking action to make sure doctors follow our rules for the protection of
patients and the practice of good medicine."
The Board of Medical Examiners, acting on the results of an investigation by the Division of
Consumer Affairs' Enforcement Bureau, found that Goodnight prescribed steroids and other
medications without performing adequate patient examinations or providing adequate
individualized care. The Board also found that Goodnight provided prescriptions to himself and
family members without creating detailed medical records; that he maintained incomplete and
deficient medical records; and that he failed to obtain informed consent prior to treating a
patient.
The Board further found that Goodnight failed to safeguard the use of his prescription pad and
prescribing authority, by allowing an individual who was not a licensed doctor to participate in
the care and treatment of patients.
The Board suspended Goodnight's license for six months, to be followed by a two-and-a-half
year probationary period. The Board also required Goodnight to successfully complete three
Board-approved courses in ethics; medical recordkeeping and informed patient consent; and
basic blood analysis and physical examinations.
The Board further ordered that, during the six months following Goodnight's return to practice,
he must hire a pre-approved monitor to submit monthly reports on any new prescribing of
anabolic steroids and to ensure that any such prescribing is consistent with accepted medical
standards. The Board also ordered Goodnight to pay $56,675 to the State, including a $30,000
civil penalty and the rest to reimburse the State's investigative costs and attorneys fees.
Goodnight told the Board that he has voluntarily ceased offering bio-identical hormone
treatment. The Consent Order he signed indicates that Goodnight neither admits nor denies the
State's allegations against him.
Acting Attorney General Hoffman noted that the Board of Medical Examiners in February 2013
revised and expanded New Jersey's regulation on the prescribing of anabolic steroids and
human growth hormone. The Attorney General's Office led the effort to develop the new
regulation, due to public concerns about a growing industry of doctors who prescribed these
drugs without a legitimate diagnosis.
The new regulation explicitly states that a practitioner can only prescribe steroids or human
growth hormone when there is a bona fide relationship with the patient, and after obtaining the
patient's full medical history, performing a full medical examination, and examining a valid
medical need for such drugs.
Goodnight's conduct, leading to the Board's findings, took place before the adoption of the new
regulation. The Board of Medical Examiners reviewed his actions pursuant to the requirements
that existed when they took place.
The Division of Consumer Affairs' Enforcement Bureau conducted the State's investigation.
Deputy Attorney General Kim Ringler, of the Division of Law, represented the State in this
matter.
For more information on the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs' initiative to halt the
diversion and abuse of prescription drugs, view the Division's NJPMP website at
www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov/pmp, and the Division's Project Medicine Drop website at
www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov/meddrop.
Follow the Division of Consumer Affairs on
Facebook , and check our online calendar of upcoming
Consumer Outreach events.
###
