Physician's assistant brings on physician's demise

Robert Smith, MD, lost his physician's and surgeon's certificate this month for prescribing controlled substances to a physician's assistant who was employed in the same office as Smith.

According to the Medical Board of California, Smith had given multiple prescriptions to the individual for Adderall, Norco, Hydrocone, and Lortab — all controlled substances.

Smith had received his license in 1958.