http://www.timesnews.net/Law-Enforcement/2018/04/27/Kingsport-Pharmacist-pays-100-000-in-civil-penalties
GREENEVILLE — A Kingsport pharmacist has agreed to pay $100,000 in civil penalties to settle allegations that he violated the Controlled Substances Act.
According to a press release from the U.S. attorney’s office, P&S Pharmacy and its owner, Lowell Grizzle, have agreed to pay the United States a $100,000 settlement regarding multiple record-keeping violations.
Federal prosecutors say these violations were discovered in November 2014 following an audit of P&S Pharmacy by the DEA.
Specifically, the United States alleged that P&S Pharmacy and Grizzle failed to maintain complete and accurate records with respect to several Schedule II controlled substances and failed to note the date and quantity of controlled substances that were received.
“Given the severity of the opioid crisis in East Tennessee, it is imperative that pharmacies maintain accountability by keeping accurate records and ensuring that prescribed opioids do not fall into the wrong hands,” said U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey. “Retail pharmacists and other professionals who fail to fulfill their legal obligations to keep a responsible account of these dangerous drugs increases the risk of diversion, which contributes to this crisis.”
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
ABOUT THE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT
In order to prevent the diversion or misuse of controlled substances, the Controlled Substances Act requires people and companies to maintain complete and accurate records relating to the controlled substances they receive and dispense.
This $100,000 fine was for “administrative/bookkeeping” errors. This is for ALLEGATIONS ONLY.. which suggests that someone forgot to initial a wholesaler invoice that a product was received, a entry in the C-II perpetual inventory – Rx filled or inventory received . Once all the administrative errors were adjudicated … there was probably no inventory that was unaccounted for. If there had been a inventory shortage… charges would have been levied and the fine/penalty would have increased exponentially. Maybe even suspended the store’s DEA license, which would have caused the Board of Pharmacy to suspend/revoke the store’s license and maybe the same to the Pharmacist’s license. Obviously, this is how the DEA believes that are controlling/fighting the opiate crisis & war on drugs.. After all they have been doing this for nearly 50 yrs with such success.
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Between the decent pain management doc being hit with over 100 lawsuits and a pharmacist fined $100,000 on ALLEGATIONS, I predict an eve more stringent, cruel ambiance between us pain pts, our docs and pharmacies.
WE. ARE. SCREWED.
Scary