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DES MOINES, Iowa —

A pharmacy tech claims he watered down the opioid prescriptions of hospital patients and stole the powerful painkillers.

The incident happened at Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

Over the course of six weeks, 731 people may have been given the watered-down drugs.

Instead of patients receiving a prescribed painkiller called fentanyl, a drug 50 times more potent than heroin, as many as 731 people could have received nothing more than salt water.

Methodist Medical Center officials said the pharmacy tech had legitimate access to portable medication carts that are placed throughout the hospital where the fentanyl was stored.

Between August 26 and October 7, he allegedly used a syringe to replace the fentanyl with saline in 252 vials.

“What was reported to us is that these were IV medications,” Unity Point Health Vice President Eric Lothe said. “So that the tamper proof packaging had been messed or opened up just slightly, a needle inserted, medication withdrawn and then replaced with sterile water.”

KCCI first learned these exclusive details from a viewer who is a patient at Methodist and wondered why the pain killers she was prescribed after spinal surgery did nothing to help.

Methodist officials said they are not sure where the pharmacy tech got the syringe and is now offering free HIV tests for anyone who is affected, though hospital officials said there is no risk and are only offering the test as a precaution.

Some concerned patients are already calling attorneys.

“Anytime you have an action by a licensed professional, a nurse, physician… that’s professional negligence or medical malpractice,” said Russ Hixson of Hixson and Brown Law Firm.

Hixson said he has received calls from people over the last few weeks regarding the incident.

His most recent call was Wednesday morning.

“We’ve not gotten to the point where we’ve requested medical records or anything,” Hixson said. “I think they’re getting this news for the first time and so they’re trying to find out how to deal with it.”

Methodist began calling 731 patients Monday who are potential victims of the pain killer switch.

Unity Point said it plans to work with all affected patients to make sure they are safe.

“It’s both the hospital that has become a victim here, but most certainly our patients,” Lothe said. “So for them and for their families it’s been hard news.”

Officials with Methodist Medical Center told KCCI the pharmacy tech no longer works there.

Hospital officials said the pharmacy tech passed security and background checks before he was hired. The hospital also said it is using new drug vials that are more tamper proof.

The Drug Enforcement Administration is taking over the investigation.

No charges have been filed at this point but this is a federal crime and federal charges are expected.

Several patients have contacted KCCI 8 News about the case. Many will begin testing for HIV this week.