Denver pharmacy fined for poor record keeping

DENVER-A well established neighborhood pharmacy has been slapped with an $87,500 fine for not keeping good records of highly addictive prescription drugs, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Colorado.

Cornell Pharmacy was the focus of a Drug Enforcement Agency investigation. According to U.S. Attorney John Walsh, the pharmacy failed to maintain complete and accurate records and failed to report suspicious orders. The investigation found over 200 violations of the law, according to Walsh's office.

Not only will Cornell have to pay the $87,500 civil penalty as part of a settlement agreement with the government, it also has agreed to hire a compliance officer, to participate in stricter records keeping and reporting to the DEA.

In a statement to 9Wants to Know Cornell Pharmacy did not admit liability:

Cornell Pharmacy today reached final agreement ending a DEA investigation of Cornell resulting from a review of pharmacy records. The DEA alleged only violations of rules regarding the location of a locked cabinet containing controlled substances in the pharmacy and various rules regarding record keeping. Cornell Pharmacy believes that no controlled substances fell into improper hands although some controlled substances were sent to a doctor who had retired and had not submitted the DEA numbers of his associates who took over the practice. Cornell has reached agreement with the DEA with regard to corrective action to resolve the alleged violations and to prevent any violations from occurring in the future. Cornell Pharmacy values its relationships with its customers and has never knowingly engaged in activities that would put controlled substances in the hands of unauthorized groups or individuals.

In January, 9Wants to Know found thousands of un-shredded patient records left in a wide-open dumpster behind the pharmacy. The records contained names, addresses and corresponding medication of patients.

The discovery prompted the Health and Human Services Department to launch its own investigation, which is still open and active according to a department spokeswoman. The investigation could result in another penalty against Cornell.

Have a comment or tip for investigative reporter Jeremy Jojola? Call him at 303-871-1425 or e-mail him jeremy.jojola@9news.com

(KUSA-TV 2012 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)

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Denver pharmacy fined for poor record keeping