CASA GRANDE – A retired Casa Grande man, Dr. James Barsz, has been indicted for continuing to prescribe narcotic drugs after his privileges were restricted by the Arizona Medical Board. Barsz was charged with one count of Fraudulent Schemes or Artifices and five counts of Unlawful Administration of Narcotic Drugs.
According to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, following an investigation over concerns with his prescribing methods, Barsz signed an interim consent agreement with the Arizona Medical Board on May 13, 2019. Barsz agreed he would no longer prescribe controlled substances while the Board’s investigation continued.
However, a review of the Arizona Pharmacy Board’s Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) by agents with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office found that Barsz continued prescribing narcotic drugs after his privileges were restricted.
On September 13, 2019, Dr. Barsz entered into a Consent Agreement with the Medical Board to surrender his license.
The Arizona Attorney General’s Office alleges that Dr. Barsz informed select patients at the time of his retirement in October 2018, that he would continue to write prescriptions on a more informal basis. Barsz is accused of meeting with patients at local restaurants or in his home, where no medical evaluation was performed, and he would prescribe narcotic drugs in exchange for cash or gift cards.