"It's not a drug that you would run into under normal circumstances," said Dr. James.
Dr. James is the supervising doctor for Cherilyn Lee, an LA based nurse practitioner and nutritionist who cared for Michael Jackson.
Lee isn't licensed to write prescriptions. So in April, she called Dr. James about Jackson's request for the powerful drug, Diprivan. The drug several sources say ultimately killed him.
Dr. James said, "She called me because she wasn't familiar with the drug. She wasn't calling me to get permission to do it and we said absolutely not. That's a drug that should be administered only in a hospital, only under supervision, probably of an anesthesiologist."
We spoke with Lee Thursday. She says she relayed that same message to Jackson, but he still insisted on using the drug.
"And he said, I'll be safe if I can have someone to monitor me. I only need a person to monitor me and I'll be safe," said Lee.
Two months later, Jackson was dead. Dr. James told Lee to alert the authorities about his previous medical requests.
"The media was talking heavily about Oxycotin and Demerol so I said to her, I said well maybe perhaps, they should be told to look for Diprivan," said Dr. James.
Lee stepped forward. Since then, she has been in constant contact with Los Angeles authorities, and several media outlets.
Both she and Dr. James say losing Michael Jackson was a tragedy, one that could have been prevented.
Action News asked, "Do you think if Michael Jackson would have listened to your advice, he would be alive today?"
"Yes I do," said Lee.
Dr. James has not spoken with LA investigators. Meanwhile, Cherilyn Lee says they have thanked her for coming forward and say she has made their investigation easier.
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