According to The Mirror, two doctors who are linked to the drug-related death of ‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry are still able to write prescriptions.
Matthew Perry, who died on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54, from the “acute effects” of ketamine, has been linked to the unlawful trafficking of the drug by Mark Chavez, 54, and Salvador Plasencia, 42.
TMZ claims that the Medical Board of California has completed its inquiry and that both physicians have maintained their medical licenses unrestricted. “Both (their) licenses are current and active and the Board has not imposed any restrictions on them,” the board acknowledged in a statement.
The doctors’ licenses are shown on the Medical Board of California website without any restrictions or cautions. Chavez is in excellent standing with a “renewed and current” license that expires on June 30, 2026, whereas Plasencia’s license expires on October 31, 2026.
The US Department of Justice recently revealed on Thursday that Plasencia is being charged with conspiracy, several counts of illicit ketamine distribution, and tampering with government investigative papers.
In exchange for a plea deal, Chavez acknowledged that he had conducted off-market ketamine transactions with Plasencia for Matthew Perry’s usage. He also pleaded to one count of conspiracy to distribute the anesthetic. The actor is thought to have given two people more than $55,000 in cash.
In a harsh statement last week, US Attorney Martin Estrada said of the two, “These defendants cared more about profiting off of Mr. Perry than caring for his well-being.” He went on to say that “Matthew Perry’s journey began with unscrupulous doctors who abused their position of trust because they saw him as a payday, to street dealers who gave him ketamine in unmarked vials.”
