DOCTORS CHARGED IN PAINKILLER CASE

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH - Seven North Myrtle Beach physicians have been indicted
on charges involving the illegal distribution of painkillers.

The doctors were all employees of the Comprehensive Care and Pain
Management Centers.

Those charged in the 58-count indictment are Dr. David Michael Woodward,
45; Dr. Michael Jackson, 55; Dr. Thomas Devlin, 60; Dr. Deborah Sutherland,
52; Dr. Deborah Bordeaux, 50; Dr. Ricardo Alerre, 72; and Dr. Venkata
Pulivarthi, 42.

The doctors are accused of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
outside the usual course of medical practice and for other than legitimate
medical purposes; distribution of controlled substances outside the usual
course of medical practice, and for other than legitimate medical purposes
and money laundering.

Windy Suggs, 36 and a nonphysician employee of the center, also was named
in the indictment.

Woodward, Jackson, Devlin, Bordeaux, Alerre and Pulivarthi have been
arrested on the charges. Sutherland had not been located as of Thursday
afternoon, said Assistant U.S. Attorney William Day II in Florence.

According to the indictment, the doctors prescribed a number of controlled
substances including Percocet and OxyContin that were not medically necessary.

The investigation began after area businesses complained about the large
crowds drawn to the center, and pharmacies reported a spike in patients
wanting painkillers, Day said.

At least one death related to OxyContin is being investigated, Day said
Thursday.

OxyContin, a narcotic painkiller meant to last 12 hours, is widely
prescribed for victims of chronic pain. By crushing the medicine and then
snorting or injecting it, abusers can get a quick, heroin-like high.

The money-laundering charges stem from allegations the doctors made more $5
million through the illegal prescriptions, which was spent to promote the
center as a "painkiller clinic" through television and newspaper
advertisements, Day said.

In April, Dr. Benjamin Moore, another employee of the center, pleaded
guilty to conspiracy to commit health-care fraud; conspiracy to launder
money with intent to promote unlawful distribution of controlled substances
and health-care fraud; and distributing and dispensing Oxycodone in the
form of OxyContin for illegitimate medical purposes.

Before Moore's arrest, eight others had been convicted in the case,
including patients who were selling the controlled substances they received
and the office manager at the clinic.