BUFFALO, N.Y. — An expert in addiction medicine says the indictment of a Williamsville doctor on charges he illegally prescribed painkillers that resulted in the death of patients should be a wakeup call to the pain management community. 

On Wednesday, Acting U.S. Attorney James Kennedy unsealed a 166 count indictment against Dr. Eugene Gosy, who operates a pain management clinic in Williamsville.

According to the indictment, Gosy unlawfully dispensed and distributed painkillers resulting in the death of six patients. He is also charged with healthcare fraud.

Dr. Richard Blondell, the vice chair for addiction medicine at UB's Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, says the indictment sends a message to doctors who work in pain management.

"This is serious business here. If you're not careful with these prescriptions, people could die. And now you may be held responsible for those deaths," said Blondell.

Gosy is still practicing but is being monitored by another doctor at his clinic. He is not allowed to write any prescriptions.