Page 9 - Part 2 Introduction to Telemedicine
P. 9
SVMIC Introduction to Telemedicine
about payment are requirements for establishing a professional
relationship, and the duties that come with it. See the following
example:
CASE STUDY
A 19-year-old patient sought to purchase fluoxetine through an
online pharmacy website. During his encounter, he purchased a
90-day supply by providing a valid credit card and filling out a
questionnaire. The questionnaire was referred to the doctor, who
without ever completing a formal consultation with the patient,
approved the medication. No patient history was obtained during
the transaction, and the questionnaire also informed the doctor
that the patient was living in another state. The patient received
the medication in the mail a few days later. Approximately two
months after the encounter, patient committed suicide, and it
was found that he had fluoxetine and alcohol in his system at the
time of his death.
The case was investigated by the State Medical Board, and turned
over to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. The Medical
Board alleged that the doctor was not legally practicing medicine
prescribing medication over the internet across state lines. In
addition, they believed that it did not meet proper telemedicine
criteria due to the lack of a face-to-face evaluation or established
Physician-Patient relationship.
The physician surrendered his medical license, was ordered to pay
the Medical Board $4,200 for the cost of the investigation and was
sentenced to nine months in jail.
Page | 9
