In a shocking turn of events, beloved Friends star Matthew Perry appears to have fallen victim to a group of individuals who allegedly poisoned him through negligence. According to a recent report from the New York Times, a central figure in this group was a group of physicians, who supplied Perry with ketamine, a powerful pharmaceutical drug, despite warning signs.

Ketamine, known for its diverse medical applications, can treat pain, prevent relapse in addiction recovery, block seizures, and even reverse asthma attacks. Its remarkable properties also extend to the treatment of depression, a fact that has gained prominence in recent years. Perry, like many others, turned to ketamine as a potential remedy for his debilitating depression.

While the benefits of ketamine as an antidepressant have been recognized for some time, the enthusiasm surrounding its use has grown. In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration approved a ketamine nasal spray specifically for treatment-resistant depression. However, its administration is limited to certified medical offices or clinics, most commonly through injections.

Traditionally, the market for depression has been dominated by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Unfortunately, these medications often prove ineffective in alleviating depression symptoms and fail to mitigate suicide risks. Ketamine, on the other hand, is not associated with increased suicidality and is frequently administered in emergency departments to individuals with intense suicidal thoughts.

Recognizing the significance of proper diagnosis, psychiatrists understand that antidepressants are most successful when used for true medical depression rather than for general unhappiness. Overprescribing and the medicalization of suffering have led to high failure rates and questionable practices.

For cases of treatment-resistant depression, doctors may turn to stronger alternatives like ketamine. However, the drug's potent effects can also be appealing to recreational users, including some physicians. Chronic users may develop a tolerance, prompting them to seek higher doses for the desired effect. Perry, struggling with tolerance, sought increasing dosages, which his clinic doctor refused.

Desperate for a solution, Perry sought out Salvador Plasencia, an internist known as "Dr. P," and his partner, Mark Chavez, who had experience with ketamine. Shockingly, court documents unveiled text messages from Plasencia to Chavez, suggesting a greed-driven motive for providing Perry with the drug. These messages and the subsequent actions demonstrate a clear deviation from the physicians' ethical duties and obligations.

When a medical professional fails to adhere to the standard of care and causes harm, it is considered negligence. The harm inflicted in this case was tragically foreseeable. Although Perry's cause of death was officially listed as the acute effects of ketamine, other contributing factors such as drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine, a drug used to treat opioid use disorder, were also cited.

It is important to note that ketamine is not inherently toxic or predictably deadly, even in large doses. However, its strong effects require proper supervision and administration by trained medical professionals. Perry, according to court documents, was injected by his assistant and left unattended, which raises serious concerns about the quality of care provided.

Following charges by the Department of Justice, Chavez entered a plea agreement, while Plasencia has pleaded not guilty. Plasencia's attorney maintains that he acted with the best of medical intentions, but the foreseeability of Perry's death raises questions about their commitment to professional standards.

While no charges of negligence, civil or criminal, have been filed yet, it is possible that they may come in the future. It is a reminder that physicians have a duty to act in their patients' best interests and uphold the trust placed in them. Wealth and fame should not determine the level of care received, and physicians must prioritize beneficence over personal gain.

The tragic case of Matthew Perry serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers that can arise when mental health disorders intersect with greed and negligence. The story not only sheds light on the misuse of ketamine but also raises important questions about medical ethics and the responsibility of physicians to protect their patients.