A psychiatrist in Palm Springs accused of overprescribing drugs to a known addict, who later died from an overdose, agreed to have his medical license put on probation.
Dr. Daniel E. Fast’s probation began on Aug. 14 as part of a settlement and disciplinary order with the Medical Board of California. He did not admit guilt but was accused of gross negligence and excessively prescribing controlled substances to a patient with a history of substance abuse, failing to keep proper medical records, failing to prescribe Narcan to treat possible overdosing, and repeated negligence, according to the California Department of Consumer Affairs.
Fast did not return a call from The Desert Sun to his office requesting comment. His lawyer also did not respond
to the newspaper. His medical license remains active, and he will be able to practice medicine during his four-year term of probation.
The accusations listed in board documents against Fast include his treatment of a 33-year-old patient from 2019 to 2022. He diagnosed this patient with depression and severe bipolar disorder. The patient had a history of attempting suicide by overdosing, alcohol use disorder and substance abuse, according to the documents.
Fast prescribed the patient two benzodiazepines, Klonopin and Xanax, that are used to treat anxiety. He also provided medicine for alcohol use disorder. About 12 other providers were prescribing the same patient with controlled substances, mainly opiate pain medications, during this period, the documents say.
The board's accusation says this patient showed signs of addiction and substance abuse, including urgent phone calls to tell Fast he had begun drinking alcohol again, along with requests for more Xanax and early refills of other medications. But the documents say Fast kept him on the benzodiazepines without controlled substance agreements and urine drug tests, and while knowing he was also using opiates and marijuana.
The patient died on Dec. 11, 2022, from acute oxycodone and alprazolam (Xanax) intoxication.
Fast also treated a 64-year-old patient for depression, anxiety and stress from late 2020 to 2024. He prescribed this patient with two benzodiazepines and Ambien. Other providers prescribed the same patient with Ambien, opioids and benzodiazepines during and before Fast’s treatment of him.
The board documents say there is no documentation Fast spoke with the other doctors or told this patient the risks of combining the drugs. He also didn’t establish an agreement about their use at the same time or conduct urine drug tests.
Other causes for discipline listed in board documents include that Fast did not keep proper records regarding his treatment of the two patients or prescribe either of them with Narcan.
Fast's license was first issued on Aug. 15, 1977. In order to keep practicing medicine, he must reimburse the medical board $31,945.60 for its investigation and enforcement costs, submit quarterly declarations he is complying with probationary terms and take several courses, including one on prescribing practices.
Other probationary terms include that he must keep a record of all the controlled substances he prescribes, comply with the medical board's probation unit, and that he cannot supervise physician assistants and advanced practice nurses.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Springs psychiatrist prescribed drugs to addict who died
