Pharmacy Tech Charged With Felony Drug Theft

People often worry about illegal drug use, but prescription drugs can be just as bad. Opioid use is on the rise. In fact, it has become an epidemic in the United States. Every day, more than 130 people die from opioid overdose.

Opioids are highly addictive. It is not uncommon for even those in high-paying careers to become addicted to drugs. Drug use is especially common in the pharmacy industry, where pharmacists have access to various medications at all times.

A pharmacy technician trainee was recently charged with a felony after she was caught stealing drugs from Walgreens, her employer. The Ohio woman was indicted by a grand jury on April 12. The State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy filed a summary suspension notice.

The incident started on November 26. One three separate days, the woman stole medications such as hydrocodone/acetaminophen and oxycodone/acetaminophen. Her pharmacy license has been suspended since December.

Drug Addiction in the Pharmacy Field

Drug addiction knows no bounds. It does not discriminate based on one’s education, economic status to career. Even those in the medical field experience addiction. In fact, as many as 15% of healthcare professionals misuse alcohol or drugs. This is a shocking statistic for many people, considering that healthcare professionals are supposed to care for others.

Why do people use painkillers and other types of prescription drugs? Because they make people feel good. Healthcare is a highly stressful career. In this field, a mistake could literally mean life or death. That is a lot of pressure to have to deal with day in and day out. As a result, workers often get stressed out, anxious or depressed. To feel better, they use drugs and often do not know when the line has been crossed. Complicating matters further is the fact that as many as 90 percent of doctors in the United States are not formally trained in how to properly prescribe opioids. Yet they continue to do so at high rates, without knowing the risks that can occur.

Doctors are quick to prescribe opioids to patients because they want the easy way out. They want quick results, even though there are other therapies that can better manage pain in the long-term. Opioids provide short-term relief only, and they tend to lose their effectiveness over time. It takes more and more pills to achieve the same effect. This can quickly lead to addiction and eventually overdose.

Keep Your License with Help From a Tampa Pharmacist License & Pharmacy Permit Lawyer 

Pharmacy professionals work with medications on a daily basis. They need to use these drugs in an ethical manner. Any type of abuse or misuse can result in serious penalties. They can not only lose their license, but face criminal charges as well.

If you are experiencing administrative issues with your pharmacy license, you need legal help from a skilled Tampa pharmacist license and pharmacy permit lawyer. Don’t handle this on your own. Contact the Law Offices of David P. Rankin, P.A. as soon as possible for the best possible outcome. Call (813) 968-6633 or fill out the online form to schedule a consultation.

Resources:

toledoblade.com/local/courts/2019/04/15/mariah-bruce-pharmacy-technician-trainee-indicted-for-theft-of-drugs/stories/20190415142

drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/opioids/opioid-overdose-crisis

https://www.davidrankinlaw.com/how-to-lose-your-pharmacy-license/