Prisma Health Midlands, Controlled Substance Act Violations, South Carolina 2022

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Prisma Health Midlands has agreed to pay a record $1 million to resolve allegations that it committed recordkeeping and dispensing violations of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). These requirements are designed to prevent the diversion of controlled substances.

This civil settlement includes a memorandum of agreement and is the culmination of a joint Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and U.S. Attorney’s Office investigation that began in November of 2018 when two Prisma patients were arrested for distributing drugs, some of which, the United States alleges, they were able to receive through Prisma’s pharmacy. This marks the largest settlement involving allegations of CSA violations in the state of South Carolina.

"Pharmacists must comply with their responsibilities to issue controlled substances only for legitimate medical purposes and in the usual course of their professional practice," said U.S. Attorney Corey F. Ellis. "When pharmacists ignore or disregard red flags, their actions allow controlled substance prescriptions to be diverted for illegitimate and dangerous purposes."

The United States alleges that Prisma failed to notify the DEA within one business day regarding thefts or significant losses of controlled substances over a three-year time period. As a DEA registrant, Prisma has certain recordkeeping and reporting obligations and one of these is to promptly notify the DEA whenever a theft or significant loss occurs.

Defendant: Prisma Health Midlands

Criminal Charges: Recordkeeping and dispensing violations of the Controlled Substances Act

City and State: Columbia, South Carolina

Exact Date: November 2018 (investigation began)

Sentence or Outcome: Prisma Health Midlands to pay $1 million to resolve allegations

Dollar Amounts: $1 million

Defendant is a legal entity: Prisma Health Midlands

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/prisma-health-midlands-pay-1-million-resolve-alleged-controlled-substance-act-violations