In an exclusive interview, a nurse practitioner who works in Dr. Eugene Gosy's pain treatment center tells 7 Eyewitness News that patients were forgotten during the indictment of Dr. Gosy.
"Whether you believe Dr. Eugene Gosy is guilty or innocent, there was no contingency plan enacted by the powers that be," said Douglas Pearce FNP-BC.
The U.S Attorneys Office said the law mandates preserving the secrecy of a grand jury proceeding and no details could be divulged ahead of time to county health officials.
Federal prosecutors also claim that a large number of Dr. Gosy's prescriptions were fraudulent, and health officials say there are other options for people being treated for chronic pain.
Watch Ed Reilly's interview to hear more from the nurse practitioner.
Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein said she first learned about the indictment at the same time as the general public and the media.
However, county health officials are aware of the growing crisis concerning Dr. Gosy's 10,000 active patients. As part of an emergency action plan, patients can call 211 if they are having non-emergency issues with their pain medication or any other opioid-related issue. Patients can also seek treatment through any federally qualified health care center if they are having problems dealing with their own primary care physician.
