DEA puts Rosalia Medical clinic in limbo

The future of the Rosalia Medical Clinic was put into limbo Friday when Susie Small, operator of the clinic, ceased operating under federal Drug Enforcement Agency certification.

Small told the Gazette Tuesday, the DEA action came about as the result of an inspection at the clinic Sept. 26. She said a six-member team inspected the clinic on that date and found testosterone medication being kept in unlocked storage.

Small said after the inspection she opted to relinquish her DEA certification instead of undergoing enforcement actions by the federal agency.

Without the DEA certification, Small said the clinic’s future is on uncertain ground because it ends a major part of the clinic’s practice involving patient treatment for chronic pain, a medical practice which she describes as a huge issue.

She said her treatment has involved low income patients who lack the resources for more expensive treatment policies.

Ending the portion of the practice under DEA certification means she cannot prescribe narcotic medicine or treatments for anxiety.

Small, who has operated the Rosalia clinic for close to seven years, said she will now be limited to regular practice. She added she doubts the returns from that type of practice will sustain the clinic.

At present, she said she will operate the clinic as a means of maintaining income for two of her employees.

Rosalia area residents for years have criticized the clinic’s practices which have included issuance of medical marijuana certifications and over prescribing drugs.

Residents have told the Gazette that the clinic over the years had developed an out-of-town clientele which they believe commutes to Rosalia because of the clinic’s alleged policy on drug prescriptions.

Small on Tuesday acknowledged she has been under investigation for over prescribing drugs. She said people should realize that prescription levels are required in some patients who over time build up a tolerance to a drug.

Small also pointed out over the years the clinic has dropped treatment for more than 300 patients who she felt were abusing the prescription amounts.

A spokesman for the State Department of Health Tuesday confirmed that two complaints have been filed against the clinic. He added the department does not reveal the nature of the complaints until they are investigated and a decision is made on whether or not to make a charging decision. The decision would be made by members of the state’s Commission on Nursing which operates under the auspices of the department to oversee nursing licenses.

The Rosalia clinic is located in the former parsonage of the Christian Church which was donated to the city along with the church. The parsonage was remodeled as part of an effort under former mayor Ken Jacobs to get a medical office in Rosalia.