A long-term care pharmacy in Lenexa, Kansas was alleged by the federal government to have dispensed Schedule II controlled substances between October 1, 2019 and March 31, 2021 for purported emergencies in quantities greater than what was adequate for the emergency period. The government also alleged the pharmacy failed to obtain written prescriptions as the Controlled Substances Act requires. Schedule II drugs, which include opioid pain medications, generally require a written prescription and cannot be refilled, with emergency oral prescriptions allowed only in narrow circumstances.
The pharmacy self-reported violations of the Controlled Substances Act to the Drug Enforcement Administration, which then conducted its own investigation. The government further contended that Medicare and Medicaid improperly paid the pharmacy for controlled substances dispensed without valid prescriptions.
On December 13, 2022 the pharmacy agreed to pay $3 million to resolve the allegations. The agreement is a civil settlement and does not constitute a finding of liability.