Cheney spokesman Kevin Kellems told CNN that the doctor, Gary Malakoff of George Washington University Medical Center, has been dropped by the vice president. "Dr. Malakoff is no longer a member of the team that treats the vice president," Kellems said in a phone interview. "Dr. Malakoff is a private citizen. He is not a government employee nor is he paid with taxpayer dollars. The office of the vice president does not comment on the private lives of private citizens." The article in Monday's issue of The New Yorker reports that Malakoff was recently removed from his senior position at the medical center. According to pharmacy records reviewed by the magazine, Malakoff bought 76 bottles of the synthetic narcotic nasal spray Stadol during a four-month period in 2000. During a 2 1/2-year period ending in December 2001, the doctor spent at least $46,238 on Internet purchases of Stadol, Xanax, Tylenol with codeine, and Ambien. Malakoff had been treating the 63-year-old Cheney, who has suffered four heart attacks since 1995. The doctor has frequently been quoted in the media attesting to the vice president's good health. Kellems stressed that the vice president relies on the medical opinions of more than one doctor, and his health will not prevent him from seeking re-election or serving out another term in office. "The vice president's health is monitored closely by a team of physicians from George Washington University Medical Center and the White House," said Kellems. "The results of the vice president's most recent routine, comprehensive checkup were very good. He was advised by his physicians that there is no health issue that would interfere with his running for re-election or holding office for a second term." |
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