Arizona Medical Board Restricts Psychiatrist Balbir Sharma over Prescribing Violations

June 15, 2022

On August 24, 2021, the Arizona Medical Board ordered that the license of Phoenix psychiatrist Balbir Sharma be placed on probation for 10 years. 

The Board had charged Sharma with inappropriate prescribing and medication management; failure to properly examine patients; and failure to maintain adequate records for having prescribed Suboxone without properly examining patients. He deviated from the standard of care when he prescribed a combination of Suboxone, benzodiazepines, and Adderall without a clinical rationale, and by providing early prescription refills without justification. Additionally, he was found to have prescribed Vimpat to his spouse. The standard of care prohibits the prescribing of a controlled substance to immediate family members.

The Board’s order prohibits Sharma from engaging in private and/or solo practice of medicine until receiving permission from the board to do so. He may continue to practice at Arizona State Hospital, which shall submit annual reports to the Board confirming his employment status, at Dr. Sharma’s expense. Source: Order for Letter of Reprimand and Probation; with Practice Restriction and Consent to the Same in the Matter of Balbir C. Sharma, M.D., lic. 14499, Case no. MD-18-1202A, Arizona Medical Board, August 24, 2021.