DEA Audit Results In $35,000 In Penalties For Narcotics Record-Keeping Violations
BOISE, IDAHO-- - Audits conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA) involving an Idaho dentist and an Idaho pharmacy resulted in the collection of 35,000 in civil penalties for failing to keep proper distribution records for controlled pharmaceuticals. The penalties were collected by the United States Attorney’s Office, Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit.
The DEA audit at the office of Dr. H Aaron Blaser in Ketchum, Idaho, revealed a shortage of approximately 72,100 milligrams of Demerol. The audit at Paul's Pharmacy in Caldwell, Idaho, owned by Z, Inc., revealed a shortage of approximately 11,733 dosage units of hydrocodone. Dr. Blaser and Z, Inc. settled the United States Attorney's Office's allegations on May 6 and June 6, respectively.
Under federal law, all health professionals licensed to dispense, administer or prescribe controlled pharmaceuticals and all pharmacies authorized to fill prescriptions must register with the DEA and comply with regulatory requirements relating to drug security and recordkeeping. Failure to maintain distribution records is punishable by up to $10,000 per violation. Settlements collected on civil penalty cases are paid into the Department of Treasury's General Fund.
