By PETER HUSSMANN
The Newton doctor charged for prescribing excessive controlled substances to numerous patients, including patients with known drug abuse histories, has agreed to voluntarily surrender his Iowa medical license and pay a $10,000 fine in order to settle charges brought against him earlier this year by the Iowa Board of Medicine.
Dr. Lafayette Twyner entered into a settlement agreement with the Iowa Board of Medicine last week on the charges brought against him earlier this year, thus averting a hearing on the matter that had been scheduled later this month.
The Board filed the Statement of Charges against Dr.Twyner on Jan. 13 accusing him of professional incompetency, inappropriate prescribing, improper pain management and unethical or unprofessional conduct. The board alleged that Dr. Twyner prescribed excessive controlled substances for other than a lawful purpose without establishing an appropriate physician-patient relationship.
In the Settlement Agreement signed by Dr. Twyner, he was cited for "engaging in a pattern of willful and repeated violations of the laws and rules governing the practice of medicine in Iowa, placing patients at risk of serious harm," when he prescribed excessive controlled substances.
In addition, the Iowa Board of Medicine issued Dr. Twyner a public reprimand.
Late last year, a civil lawsuit was filed in Jasper County District Court that alleges Dr. Twyner's narcotic drug prescriptions led to a Newton man's drug addiction and ultimately his premature death. In late June, Dr. Twyner filed a counterclaim in the matter saying the negligent care provided by the man's wife led to his death.
Earlier last year, federal law enforcement officials executed a search warrant at Dr. Twyner's previous Urgent Care medical practice office near downtown Newton.
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