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CONCORD — An anesthesiologist whose license was suspended by the state over accusations he diverted a powerful painkiller from Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center for his own use has agreed not to practice medicine and other restrictions.
Dr. Christopher S. Manfred signed an agreement Tuesday with the State Board of Medicine, which issued an order Monday temporarily suspending Manfred’s license to practice over allegations involving the painkiller hydromorphone — an opioid that goes by the brand name Dilaudid.
The suspension followed a notification to the state Board of Pharmacy reporting losses of controlled drugs at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon.
The chief pharmacist at the Lebanon hospital also noted that a routine audit found “statistically higher utilization of hydromorphone” by a particular doctor and discrepancies between when the medication was issued and when it was administered to patients.
Dartmouth-Hitchcock also reported the information to the medical board on Jan. 26, identifying Manfred as the physician.
The hospital said Manfred was on a leave of absence, had no patient care responsibilities and his access to automated medical dispensing machines was suspended.
The Board of Medicine issued the emergency order Monday, saying the reports were sufficient to indicate a danger to life and/or health. Although the agreement reached Tuesday supersedes the suspension, the investigation into the allegations will continue, said Matthew Mavrogeorge, an assistant attorney general overseeing the case for the state.
The agreement includes a clause stating that Manfred does not admit to violating state laws, statutes or regulations. It also lists conditions Manfred must meet, including reaching a contract with the New Hampshire Physician’s Health Program, a nonprofit resource for medical professionals seeking assistance with a number of issues, including substance abuse.
The NHPHP director must provide a written approval stating it is safe for Manfred to practice medicine again, which can only happen if the Board of Medicine authorizes him to return.
The agreement was signed by Manfred and attorney Cinde Warmington, who declined further comment.