By Jim Hannah
Enquirer staff writer

A Clifton doctor accused of over-prescribing narcotics in Kentucky can practice again - but under someone's supervision.

Dr. Ghassan Haj-Hamed must limit his practice to Tri-State Urgent Care in Cold Spring and be supervised, according to a 15-page order handed down in June by the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure.

He cannot prescribe or dispense controlled substances and treat patients for chronic pain unless approved by the board. The restrictions are for an "indefinite period."

Haj-Hamed, who couldn't be reached for comment Friday, must also pay a $4,975 fine within the next five months."While Haj-Hamed denies engaging in any unprofessional or illegal conduct ... he agrees that the fact issues raised constitute sufficient grounds to impose sanctions against his Kentucky medical license," says an order signed by the doctor and L Chad Edler, an attorney for the medical board.

This appears to end a nearly three-year battle with the medical board in Louisville.

But the State Medical Board of Ohio suspended Haj-Hamed's license April 29, saying his "continued practice presents a danger of immediate and serious harm to the public." He was ordered to close all his medical offices in Ohio and immediately refer all active patients to other appropriate physicians.

The Kentucky board received a formal complaint in July 2001 that Haj-Hamed was inappropriately prescribing controlled substances to patients.

Former narcotics agent Paula Redman filed the complaint. She said an informant visited the doctor on four occasions and received controlled substances on each visit.

E-mail jhannah@enquirer.com