DOCTOR AGREES TO PAY FINE FOR PRESCRIBING NARCOTICS

He ordered drugs for patients without conducting proper examinations
or keeping adequate records

A Council Bluffs doctor accused of loosely prescribing narcotics has
agreed to pay a $5,000 fine and to stop ordering such drugs for
chronic-pain patients.

Dr. Scott Blair was charged in February by the Iowa Board of Medical
Examiners, which licenses physicians. The board said that he
prescribed addictive drugs to several patients without giving them
proper examinations, that he ignored possible signs of abuse, and
that he failed to keep adequate records.

Blair agreed to serve five years of probation, to undergo training in
prescribing, and to undergo a physical and mental evaluation. Blair
did not respond to a request for comment.

In a nine-page letter to regulators in 2004, he questioned the
government's authority over his medical practice. "The Fifth
Amendment to the Constitution says, 'No person shall be ... deprived
of life, liberty or property, without due process of law,' " he
wrote. "Since I have these above rights guaranteed to myself, as a
U.S. National, why do I need to be licensed as a doctor to practice
my occupation?"

The board also took action in other cases:

- Dr. David Spector, a Davenport oncologist, is charged with
"engaging in unethical or unprofessional conduct and/or practice
harmful or detrimental to the public."

Spector, 43, also is charged with violating conditions of a
confidential program that helps physicians with personal problems.
Because of a judge's order in another doctor's case, details of the
allegations are being kept secret until the matter is resolved.

A hearing was set for Nov. 15. Spector did not return a request for comment.

- Dr. Israel Fernando, a Davenport dermatologist, reached a
settlement of charges filed last year. The board had accused him of
failing to provide appropriate care and of practicing in too many,
distant locations.

Under his settlement, he agreed to pay a $5,000 fine, complete a
competency evaluation and limit his practice to a 60-mile radius. He
did not respond to a request for comment.

- Dr. Ronnie Martin, 57, who used to practice in Des Moines, is
charged with "violating a lawful order of the board." His license
expired in 2003. A Dec. 6 hearing was set. He could not be reached for comment.

- Dr. Thomas Payne, 63, of Des Moines was granted a new medical
license. Payne used to practice in the Atlantic area, but he
surrendered his license in 1996 after serious concerns were raised
about the quality and safety of his services.

Since then, the board said, Payne has completed a residency program
and a competency evaluation.

He was placed on indefinite probation, and the board said it would
monitor him closely. He could not be reached for comment.