DOCTOR UDOM DEFENDS PRACTICE

Prosecutors cross-examined Dr. Rita Nzeribe Udom in federal court
Friday, trying to determine whether she knew that an office worker was
forging prescriptions for powerful narcotic pain relievers. "I
exercised responsibility," Dr. Udom said. "I have prescriptions with
good medical judgment. Carolyn (Mack), on the other hand, was selling
drugs."

Dr. Udom has pleaded innocent to conspiracy and 457 counts of unlawful
dispensation of narcotic drugs.

Prosecutors showed on computer monitors copies of two different
prescriptions - one alleged to be genuine, and the other said to have
been forged by Ms. Mack, her former office manager.

Dr. Udom said she could not tell the difference.

Ms. Mack was sentenced earlier to 18 months in prison for unlawful
dispensation of a controlled substance.

Dr. Udom maintained that she gave proper medical treatment and
prescriptions to the 14 patients presented by the government, some of
whom testified earlier this week that they were prescribed far more
medication than a month's supply.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Karl Knoche went over those patients' charts
with Dr. Udom, but she said the charts were missing documentation or
had been altered.

Dr. Udom told Mr. Knoche that she did not prescribe pain medication to
people who did not need it, but did give prescriptions for drugs -
such as Xanax, Percocet and Lorcet - to patients who were in pain.

"A lot of physicians are afraid of being targeted by the DEA (Drug
Enforcement Agency) and don't give patients their medication," Dr.
Udom said.

Mr. Knoche asked Dr. Udom about the medication that was found in a
vase by federal investigators. Dr. Udom said Thursday that the vase
contained expired medications she did not want to throw in the trash,
for fear of someone going through the garbage and taking the drugs.

U.S. District Judge Dudley Bowen excused the jury late Friday morning
to return Monday, when lawyers will present their closing arguments.