Newfoundland psychiatrist suspended for prescribing to U.S. patients via Internet

June 10, 2011

On May 13, 2011, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador (CPSNL) suspended psychiatrist Mohamed Mekaway for four months, retroactive from March 7, when his license was summarily suspended by the CPSNL. 

Mekawy admitted prescribing drugs online to patients in the United States without seeing or assessing them.  His medical licenses in Indiana, Michigan and South Carolina were suspended in 2007, a fact he failed to report on his 2008 application for re-licensure in Newfoundland and Labrador. 

After Indiana informed him of the suspension, he voluntarily withdrew his license in lieu of an inquiry and agreed to never again apply for a license in that state. 

The Michigan and South Carolina licenses were suspended likely due to reciprocity agreements with Indiana. 

The investigation of Mekawy began when the Arkansas State Police contacted the Indiana Office of the Attorney General regarding an ongoing investigation into internet prescribing. 

Arkansas’ investigation revealed that Mekawy prescribe the controlled substance Soma to a patients via the internet site “www.usachoicemeds.com.” 

The documents of the Indiana board also indicate that Mekawy is under investigation by the Medical Board of California after a patient he prescribed Soma to overdosed on the drug.

Source: Dean Stokes Sullivan, "Psychiatrist gets four-month suspension," The Telegram, May 13, 2011.