Two Central Florida CVS pharmacies have lost their licenses to
dispense controlled substances after the U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration accused them of ignoring the state's prescription drug
abuse epidemic by dispensing excessive amounts of oxycodone, USA TODAY's Donna Leinwand Leger reports.
Here's what she writes:
DEA
Administrator Michele Leonhart today revoked permission for two stores
in Sanford to dispense controlled substances such as OxyContin, Vicodin
and other narcotics, DEA spokeswoman Dawn Dearden said. The DEA
suspended the stores' licenses after it found evidence in 2010 and early
last year that pharmacists there had dispensed hundreds of thousands of
tablets of the popular painkiller, including filling multiple
prescriptions for out-of-state customers.
In
an administrative hearing in April, CVS vice president Will Abbott said
the company took steps, including retraining its pharmacists and
cutting 21 doctors who prescribed large amounts of the drug. DEA
investigators said the company did not take those steps until after the
DEA served warrants that indicated an investigation into the stores.
"We
are reviewing the decision, evaluating our options and determining the
best way to continue to serve our customers," CVS said in astatement.
"Meanwhile, we have responded to the DEA's concerns, including
implementing enhancements to our policies and procedures for filling
controlled substance prescriptions. ...
"We remain committed to
working with the DEA and other regulatory and law enforcement agencies
to reduce prescription drug abuse and diversion while ensuring access to
appropriate, effective pain medication for our patients who need them."
USA Today