Outrage as two doctors charged in Matthew Perry's ketamine overdose death retain their license

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Two doctors, charged in connection to Matthew Perry’s death, have had their ability to prescribe medications revoked recently, meaning the duo can no longer prescribe medications to patients. 

Dr Salvador Plasencia and Dr Mark Chavez, 54, though retain their licenses, can no longer write medications, per TMZ. 

On Monday, August 19, the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) told TMZ that two doctors accused of the ‘FRIENDS’ actor’s death can no longer write prescriptions as they had their registrations to prescribe medications revoked last week.

This is a recent development as the publication previously noted that they could write prescriptions, which has now changed.

The two doctors accused in Matthew Perry’s death are still licensed physician

Though their ability to write prescriptions has been revoked, both Plasencia and Chavez remain licensed physicians, noted Daily Mail. 

The outlet further revealed that the Medical Board of California has launched investigations into the two.

However, the circumstances of the two physicians differ slightly as sources who spoke to TMZ revealed that Chavez surrendered his registration as part of a plea deal. 

The physician - scheduled to be arraigned on August 30 - will be pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine as part of a plea deal. He has previously admitted to siphoning ketamine supplies from his clinic by filling out fake prescriptions.

During the press briefing last week, it was revealed by the US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California that at sentencing, he will face up to 10 years in federal prison.

Chavez, 54, already admitted to diverting supplies from his clinic by filling out fake prescriptions while Plascencia scrambled to fulfill Perry's orders. 

For Plasencia, the situation is slightly different as he is facing a harsher punishment after getting charged with seven counts of distribution of ketamine and two counts of altering and falsifying documents or records related to the federal investigation.

Plasencia - who was reportedly released on bond on Friday - could face up to 10 years for each ketamine-related count and up to 20 years for each charge of falsifying reports. 

DEA chief said the doctors were looking for a 'huge payout'

The ‘17 Again’ actor was found unresponsive in the hot tub of his Pacific Palisades home on October 28, 2023. 

As the autopsy report revealed the actor to have died from ‘the acute effects of ketamine’, authorities started investigating the death of Matthew Perry. 

On Thursday, August 15, US Attorney Martin Estrada revealed that five individuals have been charged in Perry’s death case. Apart from Plasencia and Chavez, Jasveen Sangha, the “Ketamine Queen;”broker Erik Fleming; and Perry’s live-in assistant Kenneth Iwamasa have also been charged. 

Appearing on ‘Face the Nation’ on Sunday, August 18, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) head, Anne Milgram said that the unscrupulous doctors who were providing Matthew Perry with ketamine were “seeking a huge payout” from the actor. 

“They charged him around $50,000 over the course of one month to supply ketamine,” said Milgram referencing the two doctors who were held responsible for providing the actor with fatal doses.

She continued, “And again, what happened there is it started with two unscrupulous doctors who were violating — we charged with violating their oath, which is to take care of their patients — and instead supplying Matthew Perry with enormous quantities of ketamine in exchange for huge amounts of money.”

Previously Estrada noted during the press briefing that they were charging Perry a huge amount of money for each vial which retails at around $12. 

For the last two months before the ‘Fools Rush In’ actor’s death, they supplied him with more than 20 vials of ketamine and took $55,000 in cash.

Internet reacts to doctors charged in Matthew Perry's death retaining their license

The social media users aired their grievances online about the doctors misusing their power as medical practitioners to deal with ketamine. They called for swift actions against the doctors as well. 

One of the readers commented online, "They know what the therapeutic dose is and they knowingly over prescribed just to make a lot of money. Pure greed. They intentionally profited from his addiction. Jail and revoking of their license."

Someone else added, "The doctors should lose license from calling their patient a moron, their patient with a serious substance abuse problem. Let alone unethically taking advantage of his condition and charging thousands more than the drug was worth. They should never be a doctor again ever."

"They haven’t been convicted of anything…yet," noted another user.

Someone else slammed, "Let’s cut to the chase, shall we? These hacks got rich off of “prescribing ” drugs to an addict for their own financial gains."

"Tick-tock docs! It’s just a matter of time," warned another.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.