Ryder doctor struck off

Ryder was put on three years' probation

A doctor who prescribed addictive painkillers to Winona Ryder has been struck off the medical register.

Jule Mark Lusman made frequent house calls to celebrities, charging thousands of pounds for prescribing drugs, the Medical Board of California said.

During Ryder's sentencing for shoplifting from a Beverly Hills store last week it was revealed she had 37 prescriptions from more than 20 different doctors between 1996 and 1998.

A report from the board said Mr Lusman conducted only cursory examinations on his patients before writing out prescriptions.

He received a $2,000 (£1,272) "retainer" from one client which the medical board could not fathom a reason for.

Mr Lusman, of Santa Monica, stated his field of expertise was laser surgery.

'First weapon'

But he also handled "the demands of wealthy and famous drug-seekers for prescription narcotics which would otherwise have to be obtained on the street", the board's report said.

Ryder had prescription drugs on her when she was arrested

Often the "first weapon" against pain he prescribed for his patients was the potentially addictive drug Demerol.

The report concluded that his conduct resembled "the sub-plot of a Raymond Chandler novel".

But Mr Lusman told US TV show Inside Edition that it was "grossly unfair" his medical licence had been revoked and denied he had done anything wrong.

In testimony to the medical board he said his care and treatment "fell within the standard of care at all times for a physician in his community with his practice emphasis".

'Legitimate'

But the report cited an example of one patient who had received 360 prescriptions in five years, more than two-thirds of which had been written by Mr Lusman.

The medical board said he may yet face criminal charges.

Ryder's lawyer, Mark Geragos, said he was unaware of any investigations against other doctors who prescribed drugs to the actress.

"All were completely legitimate," Mr Geragos told the Los Angeles Times.

"Lusman was legitimate, but I don't know what his problems are. The other doctors are well thought of."

Ryder was sentenced to three years' probation, 480 hours' community service, and was ordered to undergo psychiatric and drug counselling after being found guilty of shoplifting thousands of dollars of designers goods from Saks Fifth Avenue.