Cranston Doc Accused of Inappropriate Prescriptions Surrenders License

A doctor who practiced out of and was under scrutiny for a pattern of "inappropriate prescribing of opioids, stimulants and Suboxone" has agreed to give up his medical license.

William Chang, 72, agreed to a consent order with the board and voluntarily gave up his license after an assessment of his education concluded that he needed to enter a residency or residency-like program to address his proficiency.

According to the consent order (see attached), Chang graduated from Ross Univeristy School of Medicine in the West Indies in 1981. He had hospital privileges and a primary specialty in family practice.

The board of licensure and discipline opened an investigation after receiving a complaint of inappropriate prescribing of opioids, stimulants and Suboxone. And patient chart reviews indicated a "pattern of substandard medical practice," according to the consent order.

Chang's controlled substances registration was suspended in July of last year, but the board got three more complaints between July and September of 2011.

The board requested Chang participate in an assessment by the Center for Personalized Education for Physicians in November. That assessment concluded that Chang needed the residency setting. Following the report, the consent order states, "[Chang] has decided to retire from medical practice and surrender his license to practice medicine."