Abington Memorial Hospital, Drug Diversion, Pennsylvania 2023

Abington Memorial Hospital, a leading healthcare provider in Pennsylvania, has agreed to pay $510,000 to resolve allegations of drug diversion, a practice where controlled substances are diverted for illegal, non-medical uses. The settlement was reached after an investigation revealed that a pharmacist at the hospital's inpatient pharmacy had stolen large volumes of controlled substances over a period of three years.

The investigation, which began in 2013, revealed that the pharmacist, Renata Dul, had stolen more than 35,000 pills, including highly addictive painkillers such as oxycodone. Dul pleaded guilty to 25 counts of possession with the intent to distribute oxycodone in 2015 and was sentenced to six years of imprisonment and three years of supervised release.

Abington Memorial Hospital has taken steps to address the identified deficiencies in its handling of controlled substances. The hospital has implemented a program to prevent, identify, and address future diversions. This includes upgrades to the hospital's inpatient pharmacy computer systems, physically enclosing the controlled substances vault, and installing new and additional security cameras and badge swipe access.

The hospital has also hired and trained a lead supervisor pharmacy technician, whose primary responsibility is monitoring the controlled substances operational workflow from ordering through dispensing. In addition, Abington Memorial Hospital has revised its controlled substances policies and procedures to ensure uniformity and require biannual review.

“Hospitals like Abington Memorial have a special responsibility to ensure that controlled substances are used for patient care and not diverted for non-medical uses,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Louis D. Lappen. “Diversion leads to illegal sales of addictive prescription drugs that have had a devastating impact on members of our community.”

Renata Dul, possession with the intent to distribute oxycodone, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2015; sentenced to six years of imprisonment and three years of supervised release. Abington Memorial Hospital, Abington, Pennsylvania, 2023; agreed to pay $510,000 to resolve allegations of drug diversion.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/abington-memorial-hospital-pay-510000-resolve-drug-diversion-allegations