PINEVILLE, KY – Taylor Drug Store, a pharmacy in Pineville, Kentucky, is shelling out $94,432.50 to settle allegations of sloppy recordkeeping regarding highly addictive drugs. The U.S. Department of Justice announced the civil penalty today, highlighting a critical failure in tracking potentially dangerous controlled substances.
The feds allege Taylor Drug Store couldn’t account for over 4,500 dosage units of potent opioids and benzodiazepines – including hydrocodone, oxycodone, buprenorphine, and alprazolam – between August 2019 and August 2021. A DEA audit revealed the pharmacy’s records simply didn’t show how these drugs were dispensed or disposed of, a major red flag in the fight against illegal drug diversion.
“These procedures are critical to public safety and pharmacies simply must keep track of these controlled substances,” stated Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. He emphasized the particular urgency in a region like Eastern Kentucky, which has been ravaged by the opioid epidemic. The lack of proper tracking opens the door for drugs to end up in the wrong hands, fueling addiction and crime.
The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) mandates that pharmacies maintain meticulous records of their controlled substance inventory, from the moment they receive the drugs to when they’re sold to patients or written off as waste. The DEA routinely inspects these records to ensure compliance. Failing to do so breaks down a vital system designed to monitor the flow of drugs and prevent them from hitting the black market.
“As DEA registrants dispensing controlled substances, pharmacies have an obligation to maintain accurate recordkeeping in accordance with the Controlled Substances Act, and Taylor Drug Store fell short of their obligation,” said Erek Davodowich, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Louisville Division. The settlement isn’t just about the money; Taylor Drug Store also agreed to implement corrective measures, including regular compliance reports and employee training on spotting and reporting potential drug abuse.
While the government considered Taylor Drug Store’s ability to pay, the $94,432.50 penalty sends a clear message: lax recordkeeping with controlled substances won’t be tolerated. The DEA urges anyone with information about prescription drug diversion to submit a tip at https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip. The investigation was led by the DEA’s London Resident Office Diversion Group, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Sheridan handling the case. It’s important to note that the allegations were settled and no determination of liability was made.
RELATED: Taylor Drug Store Coughs Up $94,432.50 for Bogus Records
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Key Facts
- State: Kentucky
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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