Two CVS locations lose OK to sell controlled drugs

Administrator Michele M Leonhart informed Historic City News reporters that for the first time ever, the Drug Enforcement Administration has revoked the ability of stores within a large national chain to handle or distribute controlled substances such as oxycodone and hydrocodone pending a judicial proceeding.

Historic City News reported the Immediate Suspension Order against CVS/Pharmacy stores 219 and 5195 in Sanford on February 4, 2012 after the DEA determined Holiday C.V.S., L.L.C. pharmacies constituted an imminent danger to the public safety.

“The Final Order reflects the continued commitment of the DEA to identify and bring to light the diversion of controlled substance pharmaceutical drugs,” Mark R Trouville, DEA Special Agent in Charge of the Miami Field Division, said. “We are continuing our efforts to combat Florida’s prescription drug abuse epidemic and the role Florida plays as a major source of diverted pharmaceutical drugs to other states.”

Trouville told reporters that every day an average of 2500 teens will use illegally diverted prescription drugs to “get high” for the first time. In Florida, seven people will die every day due to prescription drug abuse.

On June 8, 2012, Chief Administrative Law Judge John J. Mulrooney II, issued a recommendation to revoke both registrations based on the evidence presented during an April 25 hearing. The final order of revocation and denial of any pending applications of the registrant was issued on August 31, 2012.

According to Leonhart, the revocation order is effective 30 days after the date of its publication in the Federal Register; however, in the interim, the Immediate Suspension Order will remain in effect.