Kentucky drug distributor suspended following DEA probe

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A Kentucky pharmaceutical distributor has been suspended after an investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

The DEA issued an Immediate Suspension Order to Glasgow-based Richie Pharmacal on Tuesday, barring the company from handling controlled substances “due to imminent danger to public health or safety.”

The action follows a DEA investigation that uncovered multiple violations of the Controlled Substances Act and compliance discrepancies at the distribution facility in recent years.

“Richie Pharmacal’s actions in this case contributed to the diversion of medications often linked with abuse, threatened the safety of our community, and endangered American Lives,” Jim Scott, special agent in charge of the DEA’s Louisville Field Division, said in a news release. “All DEA registrants, especially distributors like Richie Pharmacal, have an obligation to follow all the requirements laid out in the Controlled Substances Act, especially with respect to inventory control, proper record keeping and suspicious customer orders.”

Richie Pharmacal has 30 days to request a hearing regarding the suspension, which will remain in place “until all administrative proceedings are finalized.”