El Cajon

Former patients of an El Cajon physician testified Tuesday that the doctor sold them drugs in plastic bags with no instructions or labels attached to them.

The hearing involving Dr. John Welch, 54, which could result in revocation of his license to practice medicine and perform surgery, began Tuesday before Administrative Law Judge Marguerite Geftakys in the State Building in downtown San Diego. The hearing is part of a lawsuit filed against Welch by the California attorney general’s office and by the state Board of Medical Quality Assurance. Geftakys is expected to make a recommendation to the board when the hearing ends.

Welch’s license was temporarily suspended by San Diego Superior Court Judge Mack Lovett on March 8. The doctor has lived and worked in El Cajon for 25 years and has had hospital privileges at Grossmont, El Cajon Valley and Alvarado Hospitals.