Feds believe 18 deaths can be traced back to doctor's pain clinics

SEATTLE — The Drug Enforcement Administration could strip a Seattle doctor of his ability to prescribe pain killers.

The agency believes that 18 patient deaths can be traced back to Dr. Frank Li's Seattle Pain Center.

Li has several clinic locations. One is on the Northwest Hospital campus near Northgate. There are others in Everett, Renton, Tacoma, Olympia and Poulsbo.

The clinics can remain open for now, though the state has suspended Li's medical license.

The Federal government is also working to get Li's DEA registration revoked. If that happens, he would no longer be able to prescribe narcotics to patients.

According to investigators, 18 patients died under Li's care between 2010 and 2015.

They accuse the doctor of over prescribing narcotics such as oxycodone, exposing vulnerable patients to addiction and overdose.

One of Li's patients, Mallory Rosa, died from an opioid overdose. Her brother says she was a fun-loving lady who started taking the medication after she injured her knee.

But those drugs killed her.

According to investigators, Li also sought out Medicaid patients and billed the maximum amount for unnecessary tests and procedures. They say he also hired technicians with little or no experience in pain management.

Though Li can appeal his license suspension, he has not yet done so.

KIRO 7 called Li's attorney, but haven't heard back.

Cox Media Group