Psychiatrist Priscilla Ilem's license suspended by state following arrest

September 22, 2011

Psychiatrist Priscilla Ilem, of Wayne, New Jersey, has had her license temporarily suspended by the State Board of Medical Examiners.

Ilem, 84, was arrested in August for allegedly writing 291 prescriptions for Oxycodone without a legitimate medical purpose, the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) previously said. Ilem was charged with distribution of prescription drugs.

Ilem’s license was suspended beginning Sept. 8.

A woman who answered the phone at Ilem's practice, which is located in her Alps Road house, said Ilem was not available. Ilem did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Paul Brickfield, Ilem's lawyer, said Ilem has a "distinguished record" of practicing medicine and has "not admitted doing anything wrong" by agreeing to the suspension.

"Given that she is 84 years old, Dr. Ilem and her family determined it is best that she not practice medicine at this time," Brickfield said.

Ilem has entered a plea of not guilty. Brickfield said Ilem denies doing anything wrong.

Brickfield said Ilem taught at West Point Military Academy for several years and served in the U.S. Army Reserves for 17 years.

Ilem, and two other doctors charged in different incidents, agreed to the temporary suspensions in lieu of formal disciplinary hearings before the Board. The suspensions remain in effect pending further investigation by the Board.

Jeff Lamm, a spokesperson with the State's Division of Consumer Affairs, said that the Board "generally considers action following the settling of a criminal matter," but could not be any more specific on when the Board will issue a a final ruling. The DCA oversees the Board. Ilem could have her license to practice medicine revoked.

"The Board considers disciplinary action on a case-by-case basis based on the facts of each case," Lamm said.

Brickfield said Ilem's trial could begin in six or nine months.

The DEA’s complaint against Ilem states she unlawfully prescribed Oxycodone to confidential sources working with the DEA. After office visits that lasted an average of just 10 minutes, and which involved no physical examination or testing, Ilem charged a cash fee of $200 and provided a prescription slip for drugs, the complaint states. Ilem was previously investigated for allegedly distributing controlled dangerous substances in 2001.

According to a listing on Wayne Patch, Ilem, a graduate of University of Santo Tomas in the Philipines, is a board-certified psychiatrist licensed to practice in New Jersey.

Ilem was also investigated by authorities in 2001 for several regulatory offenses, including: Post-dating a prescription, keeping improper records, failing to properly label and dispose of drugs, and prescribing medication to a patient without an exam.

Source: Daniel Hubbard, "Update: Psychiatrist Denies Any Wrongdoing," Wayne Patch, September 20, 2011.