Florida authorities report that 34 pain patients treated just in 2011 by Joseph Hernandez, MD, are dead and they are considering pressing charges against him for those deaths, according to a report by ABC News.
Dr. Hernandez, a Fort Lauderdale emergency physician, is the fifth highest prescriber of oxycodone in the state, having treated a total of 761 pain patients so far this year.
His lawyer said Dr. Hernandez prescribed extra pills to save patients the cost of follow-up visits, but the state Department of Health claims those extra pills contributed to fatal overdoses. Dr. Hernandez' license has been suspended and his clinic has been closed until further notice.
Read the ABC News report on pill mills.
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