ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Lehigh Valley Health Network will pay the federal government $2.75 million to resolve allegations it failed to properly manage controlled substances after a pharmacy technician was accused of stealing them.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, on about 40 occasions the technician at LVHN’s Cedar Crest pharmacy used another employee’s password to access, remove and divert controlled substances.
The technician also created bogus reports to conceal the discrepancies, the government said.
“We have worked diligently to strengthen controlled substance security and compliance to protect the well-being of the patients and communities we serve.”Lehigh Valley Health Network statement
U.S. Attorney David Metcalf of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania announced the payment Wednesday.
LVHN in a statement said, “We have worked diligently to strengthen controlled substance security and compliance to protect the well-being of the patients and communities we serve.”
The government’s disclosure of the resolution did not identify the types of controlled substances involved or details such as when it happened or what became of the employee.
An LVHN spokesperson said the technician is no longer employed by the health network.
Metcalf said the settlement also resolves allegations that LVHN’s controls and procedures at certain facilities failed to effectively guard against the theft and diversion of controlled substances “from its inpatient pharmacies to outpatient pharmacies and hospice facilities, resulting in the transfer of controlled substances between locations without proper documentation.”
LVHN also was accused of failing to maintain complete and accurate records of its stock of controlled substances, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
Cooperation, compliance
Metcalf said LVHN cooperated with the investigation.
“Since the discovery of the Cedar Crest thefts, LVHN has worked cooperatively with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the Drug Enforcement Administration [DEA] to identify potential [Controlled Substance Act] violations and develop better practices to prevent further diversions, improper transfers and recordkeeping deficiencies,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
“To that end, LVHN has expended considerable resources on physical security enhancements, training, diversion-detection software and the hiring of employees and consultants knowledgeable in CSA compliance."
Metcalf credited LVHN for coming into compliance.
“While the penalties here are substantial, they may have been far greater but for LVHN’s disclosures and cooperation.”U.S. Attorney David Metcalf
“In fashioning appropriate resolutions, we also give credit to DEA registrants like LVHN who act in good faith to report potential CSA violations, prevent further deficiencies, and improve compliance efforts,” he said.
“While the penalties here are substantial, they may have been far greater but for LVHN’s disclosures and cooperation.”
Said Thomas Hodnett, special agent in charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Philadelphia Field Division: “The Drug Enforcement Administration ensures that medical providers and facilities follow established laws and procedures while dispensing controlled substances.
“DEA holds medical professionals to a high standard to protect public safety and ensure accountability, and this settlement demonstrates DEA’s resolve to maintain these standards.”
