Deseret News | Feds seize Brigham City doctor's car, funds in probe

Reader comments
Feds seize Brigham City doctor's car, funds in probe

disgusted | 3:27 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

As a friend of many perscription pill abusers, I would like to see doctors like this imprisoned for life. It's disgusting what an epidemic pills have become and thanks to doctors like this 3 of my friends are dead, and countless others don't have a life worth living any more.

taxpayer | 5:38 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Where was the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensure while this doctor/pusher was killing people? What does DOPL do except collect money from people for filling out paperwork? I don't think there is any meaningful supervision of the quality of doctors. If DOPL isn't going to do anything to supervise doctors like this and restrict or terminate their licenses, we should just repeal them and save the tax dollars we spend employing hundreds of workers there. They don't do anything to protect consumers and patients anyway.

John K | 5:55 a.m. Dec. 5, 2008

A doctor's first obligation is to alleviate suffering. If Dr. MacKay is an orthopedic surgeon he may have a legitimate reason to prescribe 40-60 narcotic pills with refills to his post operatirve patients. We should remember the presumption of innocence here before Dr. MacKay is convicted in the newspaper.

Comments continue below

Finally! | 9:52 a.m. Dec. 5, 2008

I work at a pharmacy and saw many of the addicts he produced. None of them were operated on, they just got pills. I know people who have been to him in hopes of getting fixed but he just offered pills. He was actually arrested this morning or last night.
John, if you ever knew anyone who was addicted to pills you would be glad to have him off the street too.

baffled | 10:06 a.m. Dec. 5, 2008

I know Dr MacKay and his family. They are all good and honest people.

Honesty | 10:43 a.m. Dec. 5, 2008

I am from Brigham City and I know this family well. These allegations are not true. The DEA is on a witch hunt and so much information in this article is not true. Sad that they have gone after such a great man. Dr. MacKay has been an absolute pillar in this community. He is well respected and loved by so many people! It will be nice when he is exonerated. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

And to Finally!
I visited with Dr. MacKay this morning on the phone. He is out of town visiting family so he was not arrested. How can he be arrested; he has not been charged with anything! Please read the article next time before you speak. You can discount everything he/she wrote because he/she is obviously a very dishonest person.

Jeremy J | 12:28 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008

Dr. Dewey C. MacKay is an outstanding physician and a man of integrity! Scathing comments referring to this professional are not only unfounded, but naive and ignorant!
One should examine his or her own personal responsibility in obtaining medical treatment and especially the role of narcotics in the treatment process. It is unfortunate when irresponsible and deceptive patients shift blame to every-one but themselves.
With a superior professional history and a lifetime of service to friends and community, this good doctor will be exonerated of these false accusations!

Judgemental | 12:42 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008

I am shocked at how judgemental our world has become. Why do we feel that we have to put blame on everyone else for our won actions. If there are people out there that are drug abusers and have died because of that it is there own fault. I have a brother in law that is a drug user and he has caused it all himself. Do you know how many doctors he has lied to, to get the drugs. Were are peoples own accountablity. People do not know the whole story and the fact that you are condeming people because of a media story same on you.

Innocent | 1:58 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008

I agree with those who live in Brigham City and know him. He is a such a wondeful man! He has been our doctor for 25 years and treated all our kids. You can't ask for a better doctor. These scathing comments come from people who don't know Dr. MacKay or anything about this investigation. He is innocent and it is just sad that such a good man should have his reputation even questioned!

JB | 2:01 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008

I know Dr. Mackay very well and he is an honest man. This article just shows me how incredibly stupid and dishonest our media is, as they do not check anything out before they print it. It is all about selling newspapers anymore. I hang my head in shame that the Salt Lake Tribune could allow this to happen. There are no charges filed! He is getting his belongings back! He isn't in jail or under arrest! That should tell you all you need to know....INNOCENT!!!!

Anonymous | 6:26 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008

because it is news, duhhhh. Maybe you'd rather go back to sticking your head in the sand, and not see the light for the tunnelvision. FYI... THEY ought to be investigating other doc's in that one horse roll up the sidewalks at sundown town!! I personally know of at least two people who have been injured by one such 'upstanding'"HA" dr. you are way too trusting!!

NV reader | 7:37 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008

The really sad thing with this witch hunt going on that the patients who have legitimate reasons for taking these drug will eventualy be denied treatment for fear of the DEA. What a shame. I have been in long term pain treatment and know firsthand the descrimination I have felt from complete strangers. How sad.

SoCal Gal | 11:25 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008

I know the MacKay's very well and think very highly of them. He is an honest man and these allegations are false. I worked in an orthopaedic surgeon's office for many years and the majority of the patients have persistant pain. He has not been charged with anything. He's innocent until proven guilty. Our prayers are with him and his family.

Your Friend | 9:37 a.m. Dec. 6, 2008

To Anonymous,
It sounds like you have issues with Brigham City and not the doctor. Perhaps you should see a doctor. I'm sure there is a psychiatrist in another city who will see you for your consipiracy theory paranoia, trust issues, close-mindedness and inability to take repsponsibility for ones own actions.

Anonymous | 3:39 p.m. Dec. 12, 2008

I have been using pain pills for 8 years after breaking multiple bones in a car accident (including back, neck, and hip) DR. McKay is by far the strictest Doctor I have ever had. Its common sense, any pain doctor or clinic takes only 3-6 minutes to write a prescription after you have been evaluated; you can not quit taking these pills over night! - Sorry to all you h8rs, but the truth will surface- the DEA will NEVER follow thru - they should pat him on the back instead of take his money!

HoldYourJudgement | 5:28 p.m. Dec. 23, 2008

Has anyone that has passed judgement ever been in a situation where your pain is unbearable to the point that you wonder if you would be better off not having to live through it despite all the wonderful family and friends who love and need you? It is a horrible feeling knowing that you are disappointing your husband, you children and everyone else in your life that you want so badly to be there for because you are in disabling pain. A pain clinic is there not to push drugs on you but to help the people with severe, chronic, disabling pain. Doctors like Dr. Mackay provide a service for people who need it. It is up to the patient to have integrity and be honest. Some people will take advantage, lie and deceive. Most doctors are afraid to treat for pain anymore because of the DEA but that does not mean there are not people suffering. Dr. Mackay has chosen to help those who need help. A few bad apples should not destroy his ability to help or reputation. Thank you Dr. Mackay for what you do.

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