State suspends psychologist Philip A. Hirsch's license for non-authorized prescriptions
March 6, 2009
The Washington Department of Health (DOH) indefinitely suspended psychologist PHILIP A. HIRSCH’s license to practice for unprofessional conduct. According to the Board’s documents, in March 2005, Hirsch faxed a pharmacy a prescription refill for the antidepressant Lexapro for a patient, without authorization from a credentialed health care practitioner to do so; between May and July 2005, Hirsch signed and faxed prescription refills and sent them to requesting pharmacies without the authorization of a credentialed health care practitioner. Twice in August 2006, the DOH sent Hirsch a request for copies of the complete medical/counseling records as well as the medication and employment contract and other data relative to a psychiatrist who had allegedly treated the patient while allegedly employed by Hirsch. Hirsch requested an extension to provide the data and it was granted but then he never provided the data or otherwise responded to the DOH.
(Stipulated Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Agreed Order, In the Matter of Philip A. Hirsch, Lic. No. PY00001117, Case No. M2007-11239, State Department of Washington Department of Health Examining Board of Psychology, March 6, 2009.)
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