McHenry doctor accused of overprescribing narcotics

A McHenry doctor accused of overprescribing narcotics has had his license temporarily suspended and is facing potential revocation at a hearing later this month.

Officials from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation filed a complaint against Dr. Raman Popli Monday, which temporarily suspended his license. The complaint also demanded his appearance at a disciplinary hearing that would determine whether his license would be revoked. That hearing was slated for Friday, but was postponed until March 27, according to court records.

Popli is a general practitioner and not a pain specialist, according to court records.

The 26-page complaint outlines a series of accusations against Popli, including a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration sting operation conducted at his offices that netted two undercover agents prescriptions for opiates despite little screening and several "red flags" that should have prevented the doctor from prescribing the narcotics.

The complaint also includes reports from two local pharmacists who warned Popli that he was prescribing high amounts of "schedule II controlled substances" and could get in trouble with law enforcement.

The complaint states that between June 2014 and May 2016, Popli authorized prescriptions for more than 167,000 doses of hydrocodone-based drugs, more than 86,000 doses of Xanax, more than 50,000 doses of oxycodone-based drugs and more than 28,000 doses of Klonopin.

According to the complaint, when DEA agents questioned Popli about his prescription habits, he reportedly told them that he felt he did nothing wrong because he only made one prescription for most new patients.

The complaint states that Popli would often send patients letters claiming he could no longer see them or prescribe medication to them because the DEA had "flagged" their names. This was not true. When questioned by agents why he sent the letters, Popli reportedly told investigators he made up the letters so he wouldn't have to see patients because he "didn't like confrontations."

The complaint also states that Dr. Brian Zachariah, the state's chief medical coordinator for the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, believes Popli should not be allowed to continue practicing medicine and "presents and immediate danger to the safety of the public."