The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois announced a settlement with a discount pharmacy in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood to resolve alleged violations of the Controlled Substances Act. According to the office, the alleged violations enabled the diversion of opioids from the pharmacy over an extended period. The settlement resolves allegations and is not a finding of liability.
A Drug Enforcement Administration inspection and audit found the pharmacy failed to keep adequate records of the receipt and disposition of various controlled substances, including hydrocodone-acetaminophen and alprazolam. The DEA also determined the pharmacy failed to provide effective controls and procedures to prevent theft and diversion of controlled substances.
The release states that from 2015 to 2017, two pharmacy technicians conspired to steal more than 56,000 hydrocodone pills and sell them outside the pharmacy. The U.S. Attorney's Office said pharmacies must comply with security protocols and proper oversight to prevent diversion, and that it would continue working with law enforcement partners to enforce the Controlled Substances Act.