Newport Beach Doctor Under Investigation For Prescription Drug Overdoses
SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com/AP) — An Orange County doctor was under investigation Wednesday in the deaths of two patients who died of prescription drug overdoses.
KNX 1070's Mike Landa reports the California state medical board is seeking to suspend or revoke the medical license of Dr. John Petraglia.
Board spokeswoman Cassandra Hockenson told the Orange County Register that Petraglia, a Newport Beach-based pain management specialist, was being investigated following the deaths of two patients - both female - who had sought treatment for chronic pain.
A complaint filed with the Board in March (PDF) alleges Petraglia was "grossly negligent" in his treatment of a 52-year-old patient, who died on July 22, 2012, and a 23-year-old patient.
According to the Board's website, Petraglia was placed on seven years' probation last September, which prohibited him from supervising physician assistants and prescribing certain drugs, including medicinal marijuana.
An attorney for Petraglia declined comment.
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