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A nonprofit healthcare system that owns and operates a network of healthcare entities has agreed to pay $150,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the Controlled Substances Act, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced today.
According to documents filed in this case and the contentions of the United States contained in the settlement agreement:
In July 2016, Virtua Health Inc., which owned and operated Virtua Voorhees Hospital through a subsidiary, reported to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that 400 tablets of oxycodone 30mgs had been lost or stolen from the inpatient pharmacy at the hospital. An investigation conducted by diversion investigators from the DEA revealed that from Oct. 8, 2015, through Nov. 2, 2016, Virtua Health failed to keep an accurate inventory of controlled substances, failed to keep the controlled substances in a secure location, and failed to properly supervise its employees concerning the controlled substances.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited diversion investigators of the DEA, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson in Newark, with the investigation leading to the agreement.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kruti D. Dharia of the U.S. Attorney’s Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit in Newark.
The claims settled by this agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.