The state Medical Examining Board on Tuesday disciplined two physicians with fines of $10,000 or more, including a Stamford doctor for a lack of documentation while prescribing to employees.
The board also agreed to withdraw charges against two other physicians who either voluntarily relinquished their medical license or agreed to allow their license to lapse.
Dr. Laurence Kirwan of Stamford, was fined $12,500 for a lack of adequate documentation while prescribing medication to three of his employees who were also patients from 2009 to 2017, according to a consent order.
It was Kirwan’s second reprimand and fine before the board, according to state records. In 2017, he was fined $2,500 for failing to maintain adequate treatment records and documentation for a surgical patient from March to July 2014. He successfully completed a four-month probationary period which included a course in documentation, state records show.
The most recent investigation into Kirwan’s documentation practices was opened after a referral from the state’s Department of Consumer Protection, Drug Control Division, documents said. His license has been reprimanded for a second time as part of the order, documents said.
Cornelia Gallo, a Westport physician, was fined $10,000 and her license was placed on probation for 12 months after the state Department of Public Health (DPH) received a complaint from the state Department of Developmental Services (DDS) regarding care for one of their clients, documents said.
As part of her probation, Gallo is required to be under practice supervision and attend courses in documentation, laboratory testing pertinent to prescriptions and in skills in dealing with patients with limited communication and their guardians and case managers, a consent order said.
The board also agreed to drop charges against two physicians who either voluntarily surrendered their medical license or let their license lapse which would requiring a renewal process and review.
Stamford physician Ajay Ahuja agreed to voluntarily surrender his medical license as he was facing disciplinary action from the board and criminal charges in connection with his prescribing practices, documents said.
Federal authorities revoked his license to prescribe medications in February after a two-year investigation into his prescription activities, federal documents said. Ahuja was charged a week later after a statewide narcotics task force which included federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents raided his Stamford office. The board agreed to drop any pending investigations as he was relinquishing his medical license.
The board also agreed to drop any investigations involving Prem Nath, a physician whose medical license has been suspended for nearly a decade. Nath’s license has since lapsed and any renewal process would require an extensive review, including the allegations that were under investigation, documents said.