The Associated Press reported that state medical officials say they will investigate an area doctor charged by authorities with forging drug prescriptions.
Dr. Charles Robert Howsare, 41, Tyrone, was charged last week with three counts of forging prescriptions of the drugs Lortab and OxyContin, the state attorney general\’s office said.
State Department spokeswoman Leslie Amoros said the state medical board will act on Howsare\’s license.
Howsare used the prescription pad of another doctor at Bon Secours Hospital Campus to write prescriptions for the drugs, used the other doctor\’s signature stamp on the paperwork, and submitted the prescriptions in May and June 2005, according to court documents.
Howsare resigned his privileges with Altoona Regional Health System in June 2005, the hospital said.
Magisterial District Judge Todd Kelly’s office said yesterday that Howsare posted 10 percent of $15,000 bail. A preliminary hearing that was scheduled for this week was continued until July 5 at 9 a.m. Judge Kelly’s office also mentioned Howsare had a Dark Hollow Road, Bedford, PA address.
