FARMINGTON, MO – A Missouri pharmacist is facing serious federal charges after allegedly forging prescriptions to feed her own supply of opioids and anti-malaria medication. Tamara Jo Nyachira, 40, of Pittsburg, Kansas, was indicted this week on three felony counts related to the fraudulent acquisition of controlled substances and prescription drugs.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Nyachira, employed by a large pharmacy chain and rotating through various Missouri locations – including one in Farmington – used forged prescriptions throughout March 2020. The scheme involved obtaining amoxicillin clavulanate potassium (Augmentin®) and, significantly, hydroxychloroquine sulfate (Plaquenil®). Hydroxychloroquine, while approved for malaria, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis, gained notoriety in early 2020 as a potential, though ultimately unproven, treatment for COVID-19, leading to widespread shortages.
The indictment doesn’t stop at anti-infection drugs. Nyachira is also accused of forging a prescription to obtain Codeine/butalbital/acetaminophen/caffeine (Fioricet® with Codeine), a Schedule III controlled substance – a potent opioid combination. This adds a layer of gravity to the case, highlighting the diversion of highly addictive drugs from those who legitimately need them.
“Nyachira is charged with forging prescriptions and fraudulently obtaining opioids and other drugs, thereby limiting availability of medications to patients legitimately reliant on these drugs,” stated Curt L. Muller, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The statement underscores the real-world impact of such crimes, extending beyond the pharmacist’s personal actions to affect vulnerable patients.
If convicted on all counts, Nyachira faces a maximum of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each of the anti-infection drug charges, and up to four years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine for the opioid charge. However, sentencing will ultimately be determined by a judge, who will consider U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. The investigation involved a broad coalition of law enforcement agencies, including the Pittsburg, Kansas Police Department, the Branson, Missouri Police Department, and the Farmington Police Department, alongside federal entities like the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Secret Service.
It’s crucial to remember that the indictment contains accusations, and Nyachira is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This case is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle against prescription drug abuse and the lengths to which individuals will go to obtain controlled substances, even when they are entrusted with the very system designed to regulate them. The Eastern District of Missouri OPIOID Task Force and COVID-19 Task Force played a key role in bringing this case to light, demonstrating a commitment to tackling both the opioid crisis and pandemic-related fraud.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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