HARRISBURG, PA (WPMT/CNN) – A central Pennsylvania doctor accused of prescribing millions of opioid pain pills to thousands of his patients has been charged in the overdose deaths of five of them.
Raymond Kraynak of Mount Carmel was indicted by a grand jury in Harrisburg this week. He faces 19 charges.
Federal authorities said the 60-year-old doctor prescribed more than 2.7 million units of oxycodone, hydrocodone, oxycontin, and fentanyl between January 2016 and July of this year.
"This sort of behavior that we allege is a root cause of the incredible issue that we're dealing with right now of heroin and opioid abuse," said U.S. Attorney David Freed.
Kraynak is accused of running a pill mill from his private practice -- Keystone Family Medical Associates in Mount Carmel and Shamokin.
"Today, we're truly alleging that Dr. Kraynak is rogue,” said Gary Tuggle with the Drug Enforcement Administration. “His arrest will undoubtedly save lives down the road."
He is also accused of prescribing opioids without completing medical exams or a legitimate medical purpose, and failing to assess the risk of abuse by patients.
"Ethical physicians are forced to jump through seemingly unending bureaucratic hoops,” said Lt. Leo Hannan with the Pennsylvania State Police. “They're forced to do so because criminals make the choice to forgo their sacred oath."
Kraynak appeared in court Friday for his initial hearing. He surrendered his license to dispense pills and was released pending trial.
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