Wisconsin physician charged with drug trafficking for overprescribing opioids

A federal grand jury has charged an anesthesiologist in Manitowoc, Wis., with 19 counts of drug trafficking, according to a WBAY report.

Charles Szyman, MD, was previously a physician at Holy Family Memorial in Manitowoc, but the hospital fired him in 2015 because of overprescribing accusations, according to the Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter. His medical license was also suspended after a federal investigation.

The charges stem from single appointments that occurred from 2012 to 2015. In one instance, a patient left Dr. Szyman's office with a prescription for nearly 4,000 pills, including fentanyl patches, morphine and Oxycodone, according to WBAY.

The grand jury said Dr. Szyman "knowingly and unlawfully distributed a controlled substance outside of his professional practice, and not for legitimate medical purpose," WBAY reported.

Each of the 19 counts carries a maximum of 20 years in prison. Dr. Szyman will appear in federal court next week.

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