Incidentcase150

The DEA commenced its investigation of Dignity Health following reported losses of over 20,000 tablets of hydrocodone from the outpatient pharmacy at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton, CA in late 2010 and 2011. A 2011 audit conducted by the DEA at the pharmacy revealed significant shortages of a number of the controlled substances evaluated, including most strengths of hydrocodone, a Schedule III opioid analgesic narcotic sold in tablet form. Hydrocodone is highly addictive and often diverted to the black market from legitimate sources. The DEA’s subsequent investigation revealed that several Dignity Health locations were failing to keep accurate records under the laws designed to safeguard the public against diversion of the most abused classes of legally manufactured and prescribed drugs.