15-05-2025
Horseracing veterinarian now faces charges from pharmacy board
(Photo courtesy of Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack and Hotel)
An Iowa-licensed veterinarian who has faced multiple sanctions in the past is now facing disciplinary action from the Iowa Board of Pharmacy.
Veterinarian Bradley Gordon of Altoona is charged by the Board of Pharmacy with failing to ensure physical security controls for controlled substances, failing to maintain accountability of controlled substances and related records, and failing to ensure inventory records included the drug strengths and dosages.
He's also charged with failing to follow the rules for maintaining a perpetual inventory system for all Schedule II controlled substances, failing to ensure accountability of Schedule III through Schedule V controlled substances, failing to comply with the rules for disposing controlled substances, failing to create and maintain complete and accurate records, and committing acts that would render their Controlled Substances Act registration 'inconsistent with the public interest.'
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The board has not disclosed when or where the alleged violations took place, nor has it disclosed any of alleged actions that led to the charges being imposed. The board's statement of charges doesn't specify the nature of Gordon's profession, but board records show his controlled substance license is tied to his veterinary practice.
A hearing on the matter is scheduled for June 25, 2025.
State records indicate Gordon has faced licensing sanctions on several occasions:
May 2003: The Board of Veterinary Medicine sent Gordon a letter concerning an alleged failure to adequately document and maintain medical records.
July 2007: The Board of Veterinary Medicine sent Gordon a letter concerning an alleged failure to provide clients with medical records upon their request.
May 2017: The Board of Veterinary Medicine entered into a settlement agreement with Gordon related to allegations involving a surgery that failed to meet state standards. That case resulted in his license being placed on probation for one year and the imposition of a $1,000 fine.
2022: Gordon was suspended by the Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino's board of stewards for allegedly violating regulations of both the state and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority.
The board of stewards subsequently concluded Gordon possessed chemical or biological substances that were not FDA approved; that he had administered thyroxine or thyroid hormones in horses; and that he had failed to maintain adequate records, had possessed expired drugs and had improperly stored controlled substances.
The board of stewards fined Gordon $1,000 and suspended for two years his license to operate at the racetrack. Gordon appealed that decision and the board later agreed to reduce the suspension by nine months.
2023: The Board of Veterinary Medicine alleged it had received a complaint concerning Gordon's treatment of racehorses at Iowa's racetracks and that his actions may have violated state regulations.
The board subsequently concluded Gordon possessed expired drugs and medications, failed to properly store and label controlled substances, failed to maintain the required log of controlled substances, and failed to complete accurate and legible medical records as required. According to the Board of Veterinary Medicine, Gordon admitted to each of the allegations.
As a result, his veterinary license was placed on probation for one year beginning in March 2024, he was fined $1,000, and he was ordered to take online courses veterinary law and ethics, medical recordkeeping, and the legal requirements associated with medical records.
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