Buffalo pharmacy pays more than $140,000 to settle record keeping and misbilling allegations

BUFFALO, NEW YORK – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Dexter Prescription Center a/k/a Dexter Pharmacy, has agreed to pay the United States $141,727 to resolve allegations that it violated the record keeping provisions of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), and overcharged federal health care programs. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Coriell, who handled the case, stated that the CSA requires entities that dispense controlled substances to maintain certain records and to conduct periodic inventories to prevent against diversion of controlled substances. An inspection by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration revealed that between January 1, 2018, and February 1, 2021, Dexter Pharmacy failed to maintain accurate records relating to its purchases and sales for certain controlled substances. Dexter Pharmacy also billed federal healthcare programs for medications, including controlled substances, that were never dispensed by Dexter Pharmacy. 

“My office is committed to stopping the potential abuse of prescription drugs in our community,” said U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross. “The requirement that pharmacies maintain accurate books and records is critical in preventing the diversion of prescription drugs, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that pharmacies take their obligations to safeguard prescription drugs seriously.”

“Pharmacies are not exempt from their regulatory responsibilities especially when dealing with controlled substances and the dangerous effects they have when misused,” stated DEA Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarentino. “This settlement reflects DEA’s commitment to making sure measures are in place to safeguard the community and hold DEA registrants accountable. I commend our Diversion Investigators for bringing this matter to a resolution.”

This case was investigated by DEA Buffalo District Office’s Diversion Group and Tactical Diversion Squad; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; and the United States Attorney’s Office.

This civil settlement agreement is not an admission of any liability by Dexter Pharmacy, nor a concession by the United States that its claims were not well-founded.

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