Board approves consent order with Dr. Zhang after investigation finds failures to check PDMP and recordkeeping lapses

The Department of Public Health board approved a proposed consent order for Dr. Zhang after the department presented findings from an investigation that the respondent failed to check the CPMRS and did not maintain required documentation when prescribing certain controlled substances.

Anthony Nanny, representing the Department of Public Health, told the board that the respondent allowed his controlled-substance certificate to lapse in February 2024 but continued to prescribe controlled substances until renewing the certificate in June 2024. The department’s investigation found that between June 2021 and June 2024 the respondent did not check the CPMRS for patients who received a supply greater than 72 hours and failed to check the CPMRS at least every 90 days for patients on ongoing controlled substances. The investigation also found that the respondent prescribed Vyvanse to a family member on or about Sept. 6, 2023 without documenting a physical exam to establish medical necessity.

The proposed consent order reprimands the respondent, imposes a $5,000 civil penalty and requires completion of three hours of coursework in prescribing controlled substances in addition to standard continuing-education obligations. Dr. Zhang spoke briefly and described prescribing for post-operative pain and some chronic-pain patients; he appeared pro se. "I sometimes... I do give some pain medicine after surgery," he said, explaining his practice context.

Board member Dr. Wolf recused himself from deliberation and the roll-call vote because his agency had been involved in the case; the remaining members approved the consent order by roll call.