The Prescription Center, Recordkeeping Violations, Pennsylvania 2021

HARRISBURG — The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that The Prescription Center, located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, has agreed to pay the United States $57,073 in civil penalties for allegedly failing to comply with recordkeeping requirements of the Controlled Substances Act.

The Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. sections 801 et seq. (CSA), was passed to combat illegal distribution and abuse of controlled substances, including prescription medications. The CSA’s recordkeeping and prescribing requirements are designed to prevent the diversion of controlled substances for illegal purposes.

Regulations promulgated under the CSA require that each DEA registrant, including pharmacies, maintain complete and accurate records of each substance manufactured, received, sold, delivered, dispensed, or otherwise disposed of by the registrant. These requirements play a vital role in ensuring the appropriate handling, accounting, and distribution of controlled substances.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, between March 2020 and March 2021, The Prescription Center failed to keep complete, timely, and accurate inventories and records regarding the receipt and dispensing of Schedule II, III, and IV controlled substances, including but not limited to hydrocodone, buprenorphine-naloxone, and alprazolam. As a result of the Center’s alleged actions and inactions, thousands of doses of controlled substances went unaccounted for.

The present civil investigation was prompted by a scheduled DEA audit in March 2021. The Prescription Center cooperated with the investigators and has since enhanced its recordkeeping and internal compliance program in response to concerns raised by the DEA in the course of this investigation.

“While no known actual diversion took place in this instance, pharmacies have a crucial responsibility to protect controlled substances from being diverted and potentially abused,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brandler. “Our nation remains in the midst of an opioid crisis, and the importance of keeping complete and accurate records of incoming and outgoing controlled substances at the pharmacy level cannot be overstated.”

This Settlement Agreement is neither an admission of liability by The Prescription Center nor a concession by the United States that its claims are not well founded.

Defendant/Respondent: The Prescription Center

Exact Criminal Charges: Failing to comply with recordkeeping requirements of the Controlled Substances Act

City and State: Harrisburg, PA

Exact Date: March 2020 – March 2021

Sentence/Outcome: The Prescription Center agreed to pay $57,073 in civil penalties

Dollar Amounts: $57,073

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