Doctor Sentenced to 30 Years
Aug 26, 2005
Author Unknown
The Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. - An Upstate doctor has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after he was convicted in April of providing high doses of painkillers to patients, U.S. Attorney Johnny Gasser said Friday.
Ronald A. McIver, 61, operated a pain therapy clinic in Greenwood from 2001 until April 2004. McIver, an osteopathic doctor, prescribed painkillers such as oxycodone and methadone to addicts and abusers.
An expert for the prosecution who had reviewed McIver’s medical files testified that the doctor was prescribing drugs for illegitimate purposes.
Several witnesses also testified they traveled to Greenwood from other cities to get prescriptions for oxycodone, hydromorphone and methadone.
Testimony also found that one of McIver’s patients died in May 2003 from respiratory depression due to an overdose of oxycodone, Gasser said in a release
