HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Waschko’s Pharmacy, located in Hazleton, has agreed to pay the United States $210,000 in civil penalties for allegedly failing to comply with record-keeping requirements of the Controlled Substances Act.

The Controlled Substances Act was passed to combat illegal distribution and abuse of controlled substances, including prescription medications. The CSA’s record-keeping and prescribing requirements are designed to prevent the diversion of controlled substances for illegal purposes.

The present civil investigation stemmed from a report alleging actual diversion.

A DEA inspection revealed that, between August 2019 and August 2021, Waschko’s Pharmacy failed to keep complete, timely, and accurate inventories and records regarding the receipt and dispensing of Schedule II, III, and IV controlled substances, including but not limited to oxycodone, amphetamine salts, buprenorphine/naloxone, and alprazolam.

As a result of Waschko’s Pharmacy’s alleged actions and inactions, thousands of doses of controlled substances went unaccounted for. Waschko’s Pharmacy cooperated with the investigators and has since been placed under new ownership and hired a new pharmacist-in-charge.

This settlement addresses the independent obligation of Waschko’s Pharmacy to ensure it has systems in place adequate to prevent improper dispensing and associated regulations.

This settlement agreement is neither an admission of liability by the pharmacy nor a concession by the United States that its claims are not well founded.

This case was investigated by DEA’s Diversion Control Division; as well as Assistant United States Attorney Harlan W. Glasser and the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit within the U.S. Attorney’s Office.