SPOKANE, Wash. — The Ferry County Hospital District is set to pay thousands of dollars in penalties after Republic Drug Store improperly prescribing opioids from October 2017 to November 2021.
As part of a settlement reached with U.S. attorneys, the hospital district will pay $15,000, and will change their practices to address the issue, according to a release from Vanessa Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
The hospital district purchased Republic Drug Store in January 2021 and has continued to operate the store, according to the release.
The release said the hospital district admitted that Republic Drug Store’s pharmacists and employees did not always appropriately exercise responsibility in filing prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances.
The drug store filled prescriptions that contained “red flags” with indications of possible fraud, drug-seeking, lack of medical necessity, potential for abuse or health risks, or potential for drug diversion into the community. Republic Drug Store did not appropriately resolve the red flags before dispensing.
“Pharmacies, such as Republic Drug, play a critical role in keeping our communities safe and strong,” Waldref said. “Pharmacies serve a vital gatekeeper function in keeping our residents safe and healthy, preventing the diversion of dangerous drugs, and combatting addiction. I’m grateful that Ferry County Hospital District accepted responsibility and has entered into a robust agreement with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to ensure that it complies with its gatekeeper function and obligations going forward.”
As part of the settlement, Ferry County Hospital District entered into a contract with the DEA in addition to the $15,000 civil penalty concerning Republic Drug Store. The drug store will resolve the “red flag” prescriptions before dispensing controlled substances, per the contract. Republic Drug Store must also conduct quarterly physical inventory audits performed by a team that includes a licensed pharmacist and provide those to the DEA.
Training will also be required for all employees on how to detect and prevent the filing of fraudulent or medically inappropriate prescriptions.
“This resolution would not have been possible without the exceptional investigative work by DEA Seattle Field Division’s Diversion Group, and I am grateful for our longstanding and continuing partnership,” stated Waldref. “We are committed to working hand-in-glove with DEA Diversion Group and our law enforcement partners to protect our communities and public health and safety.”
