Feb 16, 2007 8:04 pm US/Central
Lawyer: Treatment of Smith 'Sound And Appropriate'
LOS ANGELES (AP) ―
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Smith, who was living in the Bahamas, died Feb. 8 in Florida at 39. The cause is under investigation.
Kristian Dowling/Getty Images
The doctor accused of prescribing methadone to an alias of Anna Nicole Smith gave "sound and appropriate" treatment to the former Playboy playmate, his attorney said Friday.
The response came a day after the California Medical Board said it opened an inquiry of Dr. Sandeep Kapoor, 38, about possible misconduct involving Smith.
Kapoor treated Smith, but no details can be released because of patient confidentiality, attorney Ellyn Garofalo said.
"Dr. Kapoor's treatment program for Anna Nicole Smith was at all times medically sound and appropriate," Garofalo said in a statement. "We are confident that responsible authorities will agree and Dr. Kapoor will cooperate with any inquiries by the Medical Board of California."
Smith, who was living in the Bahamas, died Feb. 8 in Florida at 39. The cause is under investigation.
This week, TMZ.com published what appeared to be an Aug. 25, 2006, pharmacy receipt for a methadone prescription written by a "Dr. Kapoor, S." to "Chase, Michelle." TMZ said "Michelle Chase" was an alias used by Smith.
Smith was pregnant with her daughter, Dannielynn, at the time.
TMZ did not say how the document was obtained.
The state medical board also was looking into whether it is legal to prescribe drugs for someone using an alias. Several sections of the California Health and Safety Code state that no person who prescribes or dispenses a controlled substance may make any false statements in the prescription form.
"The media frenzy surrounding Smith's life and tragic death underscores why public figures may choose to use pseudonyms in order to protect the privacy of their medical treatment," Garofalo said in the statement.
She did not say whether Kapoor prescribed methadone for Smith, but said: "Medical research and protocols confirm that methadone is approved for use by pregnant patients."
Contacted by phone, Garofalo said she could not comment further.
Because of the concern about impacts on the developing fetus, pregnant women are routinely advised to not use any kind of medication without consulting their doctors.
Methadone is a narcotic painkiller that is used as part of heroin addiction detoxification and maintenance programs, and is also increasingly being used for treatment of pain. Methadone can be prescribed for pregnant women who use heroin, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Methadone use has been rising with more than 2 million prescriptions dispensed in 2003, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Methadone overdoses can cause shallow breathing and dangerous changes in heart beat.
(© 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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