DEA: how many ways can I fine you… let me COUNT THE WAYS

DEA and U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Louisiana announce settlement with drug distributor

https://www.therolladailynews.com/news/20190524/dea-and-us-attorney-in-western-district-of-louisiana-announce-settlement-with-drug-distributor

Morris & Dickson Company LLC has agreed to pay the United States $22 million in civil penalties to resolve claims that it violated the Controlled Substances Act by failing to report suspicious orders of hydrocodone and oxycodone, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley and United States Attorney David C. Joseph.

“The failure to report suspicious orders as required by federal regulations contributes to the opioid epidemic, which has caused devastating harm to individuals and our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Byerley. “The settlement with Morris & Dickson demonstrates the resolve by DEA to use all available tools to address this crisis at every level and reduce the availability of highly addictive, dangerous drugs.”

“The fight against opioid abuse is among our nation’s most pressing law enforcement and public health initiatives,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph. “Opioids are now the leading cause of accidental death in the United States – killing approximately 130 Americans every day. About 40 percent of these deaths involve prescription drug abuse. This settlement demonstrates the Justice Department’s continued commitment to use all of the tools at its disposal to stem the opioid epidemic. Louisiana citizens should know that my office and our local DEA agents will continue to investigate and aggressively prosecute any manufacturer, distributor, pharmacy or doctor who, whether negligently or intentionally, fail in their duty to appropriately control the distribution and use of these deadly drugs.”

In addition to paying $22 million in settlement funds, Morris & Dickson also agreed during the course of the negotiations to make significant upgrades to its compliance program by investing millions of dollars to hire additional staff and implement new protocols and standards to ensure compliance with federal regulations requiring them to report suspicious orders of controlled substances.

This settlement arises from a DEA Office of Diversion Control investigation into Morris & Dickson’s failure to report suspicious orders of hydrocodone and oxycodone. Since January 2014, DEA Diversion agents have identified more than 12,000 allegedly suspicious retail pharmacy orders that should have been reported. Under the Controlled Substances Act and its implementing regulations, distributors are required to report suspicious orders to the DEA. Reporting suspicious orders and maintaining effective controls against diversion of controlled substances are critical components of the government’s effort to stop the illegal distribution and sale of opioids.

Morris & Dickson is the largest privately owned wholesale pharmaceutical distributor in the United States and the fourth largest wholesale distributor in the country, reporting total revenues of over $4 billion in its fiscal year ending Jan. 31, 2018. Since January 2014, Morris & Dickson distributed controlled substances to approximately 800 retail pharmacies across 17 states, distributing over 600,000,000 dosage units. Morris & Dickson services hospitals, alternative and other health care providers, and retail pharmacies out of its Shreveport, La., facility.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 630,000 Americans died from drug overdoses from 1999 to 2016. In 2016 alone, approximately 42,000 people died of opioid-related causes. The number of opioid-overdose deaths has reached epidemic proportions: In 2016 there were five times as many such deaths as there were in 1999.

To report suspected opioid-related crimes, the public is encouraged to contact the DEA at www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/tips_online.htm.  

 

Stool Pigeon Hyperlink ——–> www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/tips_online.htm.  

6 Responses

  1. More lies, we all know that prescriptions are not the problem but the DEA gets incentives to go after Drs. The government needs to stay out of healthcare and leave our Drs alone.

  2. 40 of accidental death came as a result of prescription opiate abuse????????? That is NOT what I am reading from the other side of the aisle. Even IF true, what about the millions of Americans forced to taper dosages drastically and many can not even FIND a physician to treat even diagnosed, known pain generating conditions? BS

  3. The DEA has no interest in fighting the Real criminals (illegal drugs) because it’s too PROFITABLE to Terrorize/take assets from legitimate Doctors, Drug companies, Pharmacist, and now Shipping companies. Tell me how this is any different than the Mob shaking people down !?

  4. “”The fight against opioid abuse is among our nation’s most pressing law enforcement and public health initiatives,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph”
    WHOOPS

  5. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/courts/article_9542d69a-4419-11e9-8302-7be453de25a9.amp.html
    Chad Scott…. biggest ecstasy dealer on SLU’ campus. Went on to be the dirtiest DEA agent…

  6. 40% of overdose deaths are from prescription medication???????????????????????
    LYING!!!!!!!!!
    Absolutely NOT TRUE!!!!!!!!! Per the CDC less than 1% of all overdose deaths are from ILLICIT FENTANYL & ILLEGAL HEROIN!!!!!!!!! For some reason government & it’s agencies want to consistently blame the pain pills!!!! Patients have suffered for 3 years now due to forced tapering & doctor abandonment……..soley due to FEAR………of DEA!!!!! Not because the doctor didn’t feel the patient needs relief but due to FEAR!!!!# Should our doctors be fearful of simply treating their patients?????? #Shameful

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