Dr Salvador Plasencia, the physician accused of illegally supplying ketamine to Friends star Matthew Perry, plans to return to his medical practice as early as this week. His attorney confirmed to NBC News that Plasencia intends to resume working at the urgent care clinic he operates in Calabasas, California.
Plasencia pleaded not guilty last week to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and was released on a $100,000 bond. The judge overseeing his case has ordered that a sign be displayed on the clinic's door informing patients of his pending court case, and that patients sign a consent form acknowledging the allegations.
Prosecutors allege that Perry was injected with ketamine at least 20 times in the days before his death from intoxication and drowning in a hot tub in October 2023. In the hours before his death, he had been injected three times. On the final occasion, Perry allegedly instructed his assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, to “shoot me up with a big one” and prepare the hot tub. When the assistant returned after running errands, Perry was found face down in the water.
Iwamasa has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death and administering injections without medical training. According to court documents, Plasencia provided ketamine to Iwamasa, gave injections to Perry himself, and taught the assistant how to administer them. Perry had been undergoing ketamine treatments for depression but sought alternative sources when his clinic began restricting doses, allegedly obtaining the drug illegally as part of an “out-of-control” addiction.
Court texts reveal that Plasencia obtained ketamine from another physician, Dr Mark Chavez, who previously ran a ketamine clinic. Chavez is alleged to have submitted a fraudulent prescription for ketamine for Plasencia to pass to Perry. In a September 2023 text, Plasencia described a visit to Perry’s home as “like a bad movie”, and later wrote, “Let’s do everything we can to make it happen.” The pair also discussed pricing, with Plasencia texting, “I wonder how much this moron will pay.”
