Texas Doctor Accused of Prescribing Unnecessary Drugs That Led to 7 Deaths

A North Texas doctor prescribed unnecessary, powerful painkillers that contributed to the deaths of at least seven people over a four-year period, federal authorities say.Howard Gregg Diamond, principal physician at the Diamondback Wellness and Pain Center in Sherman, was arrested Tuesday on charges including conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, health care fraud and money laundering.His indictment alleges that beginning in 2010, Diamond, 56, conspired with others to write unnecessary prescriptions for highly addictive drugs like fentanyl, hydrocodone, and morphine.The prescriptions resulted in seven deaths from 2012 to 2016, the indictment alleges, including one in McKinney. The other deaths occurred Abilene, Sulphur Springs and four Oklahoma cities.Prosecutors said in a court filing that the case is connected to that of a former Collin County doctor, Randall Wade. Wade was linked to six overdose deaths and surrendered his medical license after his arrest.  Continue reading...