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The U.S. attorney’s office has reached a $75,000 civil settlement with Preferred Pharmacy Solutions, a Haverhill long-term pharmacy, in connection with improper dispensing of controlled substances and flawed record keeping.
U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling said the settlement was reached Wednesday.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted an audit of several drugs maintained by Preferred Pharmacy Solutions at its Haverhill location, according to the settlement. The government’s audit revealed discrepancies for six controlled substances, including fentanyl, Lelling said.
Preferred Pharmacy Solutions, located at 35 Avco Road, provides pharmacy services to long-term care providers.
In addition, the company failed to disclose on its DEA registration renewal form that its part owner, Norman Mason, had his pharmacy license and DEA registration revoked. The government contends that Preferred Pharmacy Solutions violated other record-keeping requirements, such as failing to obtain a hard copy prescription after filling a phone order for controlled substances, filling prescriptions for controlled substances with an incorrect or inaccurate DEA registration number and storing records at another site without the permission of the DEA.
Preferred Pharmacy Solutions cooperated with the DEA’s investigation and has agreed to adopt a corrective action plan to comply with the record-keeping requirements of the Controlled Substance Act. The company also agreed to permit the DEA to perform inspections of the pharmacy during the next three years without a warrant.
“Whether they are retail, mail order, or long-term care pharmacies like this one, we will strictly enforce regulatory requirements for storing and dispensing controlled substances because of the potential for abuse,” Lelling said. “Among other things, enforcement in this area limits opportunities for pharmacy employees to steal medication, which in turn prevents diversion, keeping both patients and the public safer.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Driscoll of the Civil Division handled the case.