Delaware County doctor, receptionist accused of writing illegal prescriptions

HAVERTOWN, Pa. -- A doctor and a receptionist from Delaware County are accused of writing illegal prescriptions for painkillers, seemingly to anyone who walked through the door.

Steven Friedman, 74, of Newtown Square, and Margaret McGowan, 78, of Broomall, face first degree felony charges.

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan said they would write prescriptions for painkillers such as oxycodone for people who were never examined.

Police say an undercover officer was able to obtain prescriptions without an exam during a visit to their Havertown office back in June.

Whelan says an undercover officer walked into the office without an appointment and asked for painkillers.

"There was no examination of him, no questions of him, no history taken of him. Just handed him a prescription because he showed up at office and requested one," Whelan said.

Investigators say Dr. Friedman was rarely at the office and McGowan wrote the prescriptions in his name - knowing what she was doing was illegal. After the undercover detective returned for more painkillers, she allegedly told him "You know you're within the 30 day limit, right?"

"She tells him 'Don't take the script to a major chain, don't take them to a CVS or Rite Aid, because they are cracking down,'" said Whelan.

Whelan says after McGowan had to be hospitalized, Friedman would leave prescriptions taped to his office door. Somewhat baffling for authorities, is the two were not profiting from the alleged crimes.

But Whelan warns the two were fueling addiction.

"He seemed to be in denial of any wrongdoing, but the receptionist seemed to recognize the fact she shouldn't be doing what she's doing," Whelan said.

Investigators don't know how long the two have been writing illegal prescriptions, but say they have more than two dozen cases showing patients getting painkillers with no examination.

Both are facing several years behind bars, but the DA says given their age and lack of criminal history, it's likely they'll get a much lighter sentence.