Patients are expressing concern regarding the drug that killed Michael Jackson. (creative commons)

Ever since the “milk of amnesia” was blamed for the death of pop star Michael Jackson, patients have suddenly been asking doctors questions about the drug.

“You won’t believe how many people with their eyes wide open ask me: ‘Are you going to give me the Michael Jackson drug?’ They’re scared to death,” president of the Texas Society of Anesthesiologists Dr. H.A. Tillman Hein told the Associated Press.

According to Hein, propofol has been used for surgeries and other procedures for more than 20 years and is safe when monitored by trained professionals in a hospital or clinic. 

Although news of the drug was brought into public after the death of the king of pop, the circumstances of the case are rare. 

Officials reported that before Jackson’s death, less than 10 percent of patients asked about propofol.  Now, more than half of patients are concerned about what monitoring safeguards are in place in case problems occur.

“It’s important to have this conversation so people aren’t fearful,” Dr. John Dombrowski who runs the private Washington Pain Center told the Associated Press.

When propofol expert Dr. Steven Shafer of Columbia University testified in the Conrad Murray Trial on Wednesday, he wanted to restore public confidence in doctors who use propofol, which he called “an outstanding drug” when properly administered.

According to reports, about 40 million Americans undergo anesthesia each year and a vast majority receive propofol.