Opioid Case Leads to Pharmacist Losing License

The opioid crisis in America has led to hundreds of thousands of deaths across the United States. In fact, new reports indicate that about 99,160 more people were killed in this epidemic than previous reports had determined. In total, about 450,000 people across the country have lost their lives in opioid overdoses.

The issue has become a complicated one because it brings up questions about professional responsibility for doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. The people becoming addicted to these powerful drugs often are not individuals who are seeking street drugs. Instead, many of these people are initially prescribed the pain killers by their doctors.

Pharmacist Loses License

A pharmacist recently made headlines when he was required to surrender his professional license after being accused of illegitimately selling painkillers to patients. The consequences for the filling of prescriptions that were deemed questionable included a $600,000 fine, and his business can no longer carry controlled substances.

A court found that the pharmacy ignored red flags and continued to fill prescriptions, especially for opioids to patients who other pharmacies had already cut off. One person at the pharmacy reportedly expressed concern, but the pharmacist stated that his policy was to fill prescriptions for anyone whose doctor had written one.

As the opioid epidemic has spread, similar stories are taking place throughout the country.

Medical Professionals Caught in A Difficult Place

For many in the medical field, the opioid crisis has presented challenges. On the one hand, the spread of addiction is a serious concern for the nation and one that needs to be properly addressed. At the same time, doctors prescribe opioids for a reason. These drugs are a form of medication that has a proven benefit for patients. Doctors are required to do what they can to adequately treat their patients but are also required to abide by strict regulations. Additionally, many doctors are having to base part of their decision on what their patients are reporting to them.

It is a dangerous and challenging place for doctors to be when treating their patients to the best of their ability could potentially place their career and more at risk. The same holds true for pharmacists who are filling those prescriptions. The limited amount of information available means that pharmacists may be making a decision that could harm their patients and put their career in jeopardy, or they could be simply providing a needed medication to a person with a valid reason for that drug. The line between the two may not always be clear.

Pharmacy License Defense

Pharmacists are required to obtain licenses to practice in Missouri and Kansas. When a complaint is made against a pharmacist, this can lead to disciplinary actions against that individual. In serious cases, the person could lose their ability to practice his or her profession.

For professionals who are accused of a violation, it is incredibly important to address the allegations. Licensing laws permit anyone to file a complaint. This means disgruntled clients or hostile coworkers are able to file complaints that may not always be valid. The state allows professionals the opportunity to defend themselves.

One of the first steps to take when accused of committing a professional violation is to hire a professional license defense attorney. Professionals should never try to handle these situations on their own and should not discuss the allegations with anyone but their attorney.

The Kansas Professional License Defense Attorney at Sanger Law are ready to help you navigate the professional licensing system. We are ready to serve as your advocate and to protect your livelihood. Contact us today at (785) 979-4353 to discuss your case.

Comments are closed.