R.I. pharmacy told to stop making medicines

Posted:Today Updated: 12:46 AM

The Associated Press

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. - The state Health Department has ordered a South Kingstown pharmacy to stop what it says is the illegal manufacturing and distribution of medications.

The department accused Bayview Pharmacy of "acting as an unlicensed manufacturer and distributor of sterile injectable medications."

A Nov. 16 compliance order made public earlier this week said that Board of Pharmacy inspectors had found, during inspections in September and last week, that Bayview has been using compounding powders from a manufacturer not licensed in Rhode Island. On at least two occasions, a pharmacist had used expired powders.

The order said the pharmacy could not produce records and test results relating to the sterility and cleanliness of its compounding room. During the Sept. 7 inspection, state officials found pet food and bedding near the compounding area.

The pharmacy is allowed to continue to "lawfully dispense" medications under its retail pharmacy license.

Ryan Dyer, the pharmacist in charge at Bayview Pharmacy, described the problems as technical and told The Associated Press there are no safety concerns. He said the compounding is only a small part of the pharmacy's business, and it ran into trouble because it couldn't find a document certifying sterile conditions during the inspections.

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R.I. pharmacy told to stop making medicines