DR. SAID FACES CHARGES

EPHRATA - An Ephrata physician is charged with failing to comply with an order from the Washington Department of Health.

The department of health's Medical Quality Assurance Commission filed charges against Dr. Mohammad Said on Feb. 1 for "failure to comply with an order issued by the disciplining authority." 

Said was cited by the agency after he allegedly used controlled substances in 2009 to treat several patients' chronic pain for more than 90 days, which violated a restriction.

"The commission obviously takes every case seriously," says Washington State Department of Health staff attorney, Mike Farrell. "The commission is very concerned when a doctor fails to comply with an order."

Said was ordered by state officials to discontinue his treatment of chronic pain patients by the end of 2008 through a settlement called an "agreed order." The current charges allege Said continued treating patients.

"The charges filed on January 31, 2011, are the same charges as alleged previously," Said stated to the Columbia Basin Herald. "The restrictions were supposed to have been lifted on Dec. 10, 2009 after a written petition, which could not be filed until April 2010."

Said says he wanted to phase out his chronic pain patients.

"I accepted many of those patients because of compassion and not for economic reason, as I had a very thriving solo practice since I established my practice in September 1982," he stated. "Instead of thanking me for helping those patients, who are the most vulnerable in our society, the state harasses me instead of filling an important spot."

Said stated the state's allegations are completely false and "all political."

"The lawyers are practicing medicine and the doctors are incompetent. They are simply retaliating that's all. It's all politics," stated Said. "It does not make any medical sense because my patients are in pain. It does not make any sense to treat them as sub-class citizens and not treat them with dignity."

Said stated the agency accused him "of making addicts" out of his patients.

"They treat me as a foot soldier for the Mafia, I have to kiss their ring for them to let me go. It is not fair," says Said.

Said stated he has only tried to help his patients who suffered from chronic pain.

"I have tried to help people all my life, that's all," stated Said. "I had two patients who died, one who shot himself in his abdomen because he was hurting, another woman threatened to kill herself," says Said. 

The next step in the process is for Said to send a statement to the commission, which Said says he will do by April 6.

"Hearing dates will be set for August or September," says Farrell. "It's generally six months out after the doctors submit their statement." 

Farrell said a settlement could come through an agreed order.

If a settlement can't be reached, a hearing will take place, according to Farrell.

Said says he is meeting with his lawyer in Seattle soon to fight the charges.

"I hope that they will dismiss the charges, I have no doubt," says Said.