Former California physician pleads guilty to overprescribing opioids 

Former Modesto, Calif.-based physician Sawtantra Chopra, MD, pleaded guilty to three counts of illegally prescribing opioids, the Justice Department said May 11. 

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Mr. Chopra, who surrendered his medical license in 2020 as the case was pending, admitted to prescribing hydrocodone, alprazolam and promethazine with codeine syrup without a legitimate medical purpose. 

He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 5 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

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