As more information about Michael Jackson's dependence on prescription drugs comes to light, a Miami Beach doctor might find himself in an unwelcome spotlight.
According to multiple sources, Jackson was under the treatment of Dr. Alex Farshchian. TMZ obtained a letter from Dr. Farshchian to Jackson dated July 21, 2002:
Dearest MJ
Hi and how are you,
I am not sure if you received my package earlier, so I am sending it again.
It's a 5-7 day program that offers you the solution.
Buprinex is the potent narcotic I told you about last week. It is just like the D but better.
I have everything ready. This is it. Do it before you start your second chapter. You are the best, you are an ICON, and you belong to the TOPS. "U ain't seen nothing yet." Let's do it as soon as possible. Read the attached and call me.
TMZ believes "the D" refers to Demerol, a drug that might have played a part in Jackson's death.
TheWrap.com also obtained documents from the 2004 child molestation investigation that name Farshchian. Police interviewed Michael Lapperuque, a former personal assistant to the star. He claims Farshchian was the person who introduced Jackson to Al Malnik, and Lapperuque added that "he did not like Farshchian at all," and that Malnik was another one of Farshchian's patients.
A second former member of Jackson's team, Chris Carter, also discussed Farshchian. From the police report: "He said Dr. Farshchian told him that Jackson was addicted to Demerol but said he was giving Jackson a placebo to wean him off."
The drug Farshchian talks about in his letter, Buprinex, is a semi-synthetic opioid used to treat chronic pain. It is also used in the management of opioid (like Demerol) addiction. Howard Stern sidekick Artie Lange called it a "miracle pill" after it helped him beat his heroin addiction.
Farshchian works out of the Center for Regenerative Medicine in Miami Beach. A regular donor to the Republican Congressional Committee, he was named doctor of the year by its physician advisory board in 2003. The main focus of his practice seems to be arthritis treatment, not drug dependence.
