An Indian-origin physician, Sanjay Mehta, has pleaded guilty to unlawfully prescribing opioids and procuring them by fraud. He admitted to prescribing opioids that led to fatal overdoses of two individuals. Mehta, a 57-year-old from West Virginia, admitted to illegally prescribing opioids while working at HOPE Clinic, a pain management clinic. Prosecutors mentioned that Mehta lacked proper experience and training for dealing with chronic pain patients and prescribing Schedule II narcotics. The physician wrote prescriptions with no legitimate medical purpose, including for oxycodone and methadone, resulting in the deaths of two patients from opioid intoxication. Mehta is due for sentencing on October 31, facing potential imprisonment, supervised release, and a substantial fine.
