DEA Scrutinizes Walgreens for Exceeding Oxycodone Prescriptions Regs

Prescription Drug Abuse

DEA Scrutinizes Walgreens for Exceeding Oxycodone Prescriptions Regs

DEA Scrutinizes Walgreens for Exceeding Oxycodone Prescriptions Regs

Prescription Drug Abuse
Prescription drug abuse is a national epidemic.

The Center for Disease Control has labeled prescription drug abuse a national epidemic. Oxycodone, one of several narcotic painkillers, is among a number of drugs on the federal distribution regulations list.

Oxycodone is a powerful and highly addictive pain medication that has been widely distributed by pill mill clinics. In the last few years, Florida is considered the epicenter of prescription drug abuse and selling, leading the nation with pain mill clinics which dispense large numbers of prescription drugs. In the fall of 2011, the DEA and Florida drug enforcement officers raided and closed many of these bogus clinics.

Walgreens has come under investigation for exceeding the legal limits for dispensing narcotic drugs. Under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act, a warrant was issued for a “valid public interest” For Walgreens in Jupiter, Florida and six other Walgreens pharmacies. A Walgreens in Ft. Meyers, Florida purchased 67 % of its prescription drugs with oxycodone. The Jupiter distribution center purchased 95-800 doses of pain medication in 2009, and by 2011 that figure jumped to 2.1 million oxycodone pills.

Two CVS pharmacies in Florida have been restricted from selling controlled substances while under investigation. Court battles are now occurring over the restrictions.

Painkiller deaths to drugs such as oxycodone have now surpassed heroin and cocaine deaths combined. Prescription drug abuse and addiction is a serious problem across all age brackets. Medically monitored detox and drug rehab programs are needed to break the cycle of addiction.