LOS ANGELES - A Southern California doctor who co-wrote a classic song performed by the Beach Boys surrendered his medical license Monday amid allegations that he prescribed medications for himself, according to the Medical Board of California.
In a decision made public Monday, the state licensing agency alleged Dr. Donald Jay Altfeld prescribed Xanax, Norco and other drugs for himself, the Los Angeles Times reported (http://lat.ms/Ht6dZZ).
Altfeld co-wrote the song "The Little Old Lady From Pasadena," which was first recorded by duo Jan & Dean and went to No. 3 on Billboard's pop music chart.
It was later performed by the Beach Boys on 1964's "Beach Boys Concert," an album that went to No. 1 on Billboard charts.
In July 2010, a pharmacist in Ventura refused to fill a prescription Altfeld called in for himself, according to the decision. Altfeld then allegedly asked a patient to take a prescription and fill it to obtain medications for the doctor's own use.
In August of 2010, Altfeld was seen wandering his Ventura neighbourhood barefoot and wearing feces-covered long johns, according to the filing.
After several hospitalizations and incidents of erratic behaviour, Altfeld was examined by a psychiatrist appointed by the medical board in 2011.
Altfeld was determined to be a mentally ill drug abuser incapable of safely practicing medicine, according to the decision.
Altfeld represented himself in his licensing hearings and could not be reached for comment on Monday.
