I wrote this on July 23, 2009 in this column. But it seemed appropriate to recall in light of the current trial.
Michael Jackson’s Dr. Conrad Murray, now under investigation by the LAPD for possible manslaughter in Michael’s death: medical malfeasance may be in his genes.
Dr. Murray’s biological father, whom he met at age 25, was the late Dr. Rawle Andrews of Houston, Tex. Dr. Andrews died in 2001, but was a respected Houston physician. Both Dr. Andrews and his son, Dr. Murray, are graduates of Nashville’s Meharry Medical College.
However: Dr. Rawle Andrews medical license came under review and was ‘severely limited’ according to the Texas Medical Board, from 1994 to 1999.
Dr. Andrews was found to have prescribed “controlled substances and substances with addictive potential to [two patients, names reduced to initials] for extended periods of time without adequate indication.”
The board particularly cited four “dangerous” drugs in their order:
Stadol — a powerful pain reliever used for migraines after surgery” connected to Demerol
Nubain–another powerful pain reliever, delivered through IV, equivalent to morphine and used as a supplement to anesthesia;”
Talwin –yet another monster pain reliever/narcotic used before surgery and anesthesia
Phenergan — a more moderate pain killer but also an antihistamine used for itching and swelling.
If any of these turn up in Michael Jackson’s toxicology report, the parallels may be more than just a coincidence. What probably killed Jackson was an overdose or misuse of anesthesia-based drug Diprivan. Certainly, Dr. Murray knew that his father had had disciplinary action taken against him for prescribing and administering similar drugs.
The citation reads: “Agreed Order entered restricting license for 5 years for prescribing or administering a drug or treatment that is non therapeutic in nature or non therapeutic in the manner the drug or treatment is administered or prescribed.”
