The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued an Immediate Suspension Order (ISO) on Tuesday to Richie Pharmacal, a pharmaceutical distributor in Glasgow.
According to the DEA, an ISO is an emergency administrative action that immediately suspends a DEA registrant’s authority to handle controlled substances, due to imminent danger to public health or safety.
The heightened measure comes after DEA diversion investigators discovered several compliance discrepancies and violations of the Controlled Substances Act at the business’ Glasgow distribution facility.
“Richie Pharmacal’s actions in this case contributed to the diversion of medications often linked with abuse, threatened the safety of our community, and endangered American lives,” said Jim Scott, special agent in charge of DEA’s Louisville Field Division. “All DEA registrants, especially distributors like Richie Pharmacal, have an obligation to follow all the requirements laid out in the Controlled Substances Act, especially with respect to inventory control, proper record keeping, and suspicious customer orders.”
As a result of Tuesday’s action by the DEA, Richie Pharmacal, can no longer handle controlled substances of any kind while the ISO remains in effect. DEA registrants have 30 days to request a hearing to contest a suspension. However, the suspension will remain in effect until all administrative proceedings are finalized.
This case is being investigated by DEA’s Louisville Field Division, with assistance from DEA’s Knoxville District Office and the Glasgow Police Department. DEA’s Office of the Chief Counsel also assisted with the case.
The DEA says their mission is to ensure the safety and health of American communities by combating criminal drug networks bringing harm, violence, overdoses, and poisonings to the United States.
To accomplish this mission, the DEA employs approximately 10,000 personnel throughout the world – Special Agents, Diversion Investigators, Intelligence Analysts, Chemists, and professional staff – across 241 domestic offices in 23 Divisions and 93 foreign offices across the globe.
By Tom Latek, Kentucky Today
