Two Pharmacies Close After ‘Reckless’ Drug Dispensing

According to the DEA, the pharmacy became the focus of DEA’s attention based on data acquired during a larger investigation concerning Morris & Dickson, Co., L.L.C (M&D), a major pharmaceutical distributor in Louisiana.

As part of the M&D investigation, it came to DEA’s attention that the pharmacy was one of the top purchasers of oxycodone and hydrocodone in the state.

Their investigation showed patients who traveled long distances from their home addresses to the pharmacy, and that many patients received the highest available quantity and strength of various opioids.

A social media post by Medical Pharmacy, Inc. on 12/24/22, directed customers to Central Pharmacy, on Sullivan road in Baton Rouge, where their prescriptions would be transferred following the early 2023 shut-down.

A phone call produced a recorded message that thanked the community for its support over more than 50 years.

The executive director of the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy tells WBRZ that his office was notified on Dec. 23 that the company’s locations on Church Street and on West Park Drive would cease operations on Jan. 2.

He noted that the state board had no disciplinary action in place that would have led to the closures.

However, a WBRZ News review of federal records shows that the Drug Enforcement Administration called for the revocation of Medical Pharmacy, Inc.’s Certificate of Registration “because on numerous occasions between October 2016 and September 2019, it repeatedly filled prescriptions without addressing or resolving factual indicia (i.e., ‘‘red flags’’) of potential drug diversion. According to the Government, this constituted unlawfully reckless and negligent dispensing.”

The findings were published as “conclusively established in this case.” The Federal Register of Dec. 20, 2021, indicates that applications for renewal of the company’s registration should be denied.

Medical Pharmacy, Inc., served as a compounding pharmacy – meaning its locations could combine drugs and other ingredients on site to serve patients with certain special needs. Its first location opened in 1968, followed by the second in 2005.