Philadelphia Pharmacy Pays $200,000 to Resolve Allegations of Failing to Maintain Proper Inventory and Documentation of Its Controlled Substances

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Northeast Discount Pharmacy will pay $200,000 to resolve allegations that it failed to comply with various record-keeping requirements for controlled substances.

Northeast Discount Pharmacy, a Philadelphia pharmacy wholly owned by pharmacist Patrick Assifuah, is a registered retail pharmacy authorized to purchase and dispense Schedule II-V controlled substances. The settlement announced today resolves allegations that between April 2018 and January 2021, Northeast Discount Pharmacy failed to maintain complete and accurate electronic records of controlled substances, and to prepare appropriate Drug Enforcement Administration forms. For example, the settlement resolves allegations that Northeast Discount Pharmacy failed to maintain appropriate inventories of controlled substances including Endocet 10/235mg (Percocet 10/325mg and Oxycodone 10/325mg), Oxycodone 5mg, Oxycodone 15 mg, and Oxycodone 30mg.

In addition to the $200,000 penalty, Northeast Discount Pharmacy is also now subject to a number of monitoring requirements, including reporting of controlled substance purchasing, dispensing, and prescribing to the Drug Enforcement Administration, as well as sharing Standard Operating Procedures pertaining to all aspects of purchasing, storing, and distributing controlled substances.

“Controlled substances, especially opioids, pose extraordinary risks to our communities in this district,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “When pharmacies are granted the privilege of purchasing controlled substances, they also accept the significant responsibility of ensuring that controlled substances are used for a legitimate medical purpose and generating the records necessary for accountability and transparency. When this does not happen, we will work with our law enforcement partners, use all available enforcement tools, and hold these pharmacies responsible.”

“Pharmacies are entrusted with the dispensing of powerful prescription painkillers such as oxycodone and Percocet. With that responsibility comes the obligation to properly safeguard and account for these same drugs,” said Thomas Hodnett, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division.  “Civil settlements and the monitoring requirements imposed against Northeast Discount Pharmacy help to ensure that these safeguards are met.” 

This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Philadelphia Field Division. For the United States Attorney’s Office, Assistant United States Attorney Deborah W. Frey and former Assistant United States Attorney P.J. Koob handled the investigation and settlement.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.