South Orange Practitioner Lost License For Prescribing Painkillers: AG

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — A South Orange practitioner was among 31 New Jersey physicians to lose their jobs over the past year after allegedly over-prescribing painkillers and other narcotics that can lead to addiction, Attorney General Christopher Porrino and the Division of Consumer Affairs has announced.

According to authorities, the list includes Amgad Hessein of South Orange, who had his medical license revoked and faced a $130,000 penalty and costs in the amount of $308,749.

The 2016 actions filed with the board resulted in eight license revocations, five long-term suspensions, and one voluntary retirement that settled allegations against 14 doctors, state officials said.

• See related article: 31 N.J. Doctors Lost Jobs In Statewide Opioid Crackdown

“When four out of five new heroin users are getting their start by abusing prescription drugs, you have to attack the problem at ground zero - in irresponsibly run doctors’ offices,” Porrino said in a statement.

The discipline measures sought by Porrino were carried out by the State Board of Medical Examiners within the Division of Consumer Affairs.

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