How Many Died?–
March 21, 2020 – We will continue to zealously pursue doctors who write opioid or other prescriptions that are plainly outside their professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer in a press release after Salerno pleaded guilty.
“Even a medical degree does not put one above the law,” said Brewer, who praised Drug Enforcement Administration agents and prosecutors who worked on the case.
“Because of pill mills operated by doctors like Egisto Salerno, our country has been devastated by the negative effects of prescription paid medication,” said DEA special agent John Callery.
From May, 2014, to May, 2017, Salerno wrote 6,816 prescriptions for hydrocodone for a total of 719,667 tablets, according to the indictment.
“Dr. Salerno’s medical career is over; he betrayed his oath to the medical community and his patients,” said Callery.
A man who died in 2015 had five prescriptions for the drug written for him.
