An Oklahoma doctor has been accused of murdering five patients by prescribing them opioid drugs without a legitimate medical need and, said prosecutors, in quantities and circumstances that disregarded human life.
Regan Ganoung Nichols, 57, an osteopathic physician, was charged in Oklahoma County District Court with five counts of second-degree murder, according to The Oklahoman. She had been banned from prescribing drugs since 2015.
Medical examiner reports said all five deaths were the result of multi-drug toxicity.
"The dangers associated with opioid drugs have been well documented and most doctors follow strict guidelines when prescribing opioids to their patients," said Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter. "Nichols prescribed patients, who entrusted their well-being to her, a horrifyingly excessive amount of opioid medications. Nichols' blatant disregard for the lives of her patients is unconscionable."
"Through the investigation, agents found the five individuals who died were prescribed more than 1,800 opioid pills in the same months as their deaths," said Hunter’s office. "Three of the five individuals were prescribed a deadly three drug combination of a narcotic opioid pain reliever, an anti-anxiety drug and a muscle relaxer. All of the prescriptions were signed by Nichols."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, opioids – including prescription opioids and heroin – have been connected with the deaths of more than 33,000 people in 2015, more than any year on record. The agency said almost half of all opioid overdose deaths involve prescription opioids.
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