Pharmacy | The Health Law Firm Blog

The legal matters involving pharmacies and pharmacists are many. Learn more about pharmacist involvement in investigations by the Department of Health, local investigative agencies, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) and the Drug Enforcement administration (DEA)concerning complaints, including allegations of license violations, prescription fraud, and other types of disciplinary infractions.

New Anti-Prescription Drug Abuse Campaign in Pinellas County

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Pinellas County has started a new billboard campaign aimed at curbing prescription drug abuse. The billboard message reads, “We’re shutting down Pill Mills in Pinellas County.” The first two billboards were erected on April 1, 2012. Several smaller boards will be put up in the next few weeks, with even more planned for the future. This continues the long-standing battle by Pinellas County law enforcement authorities against pain management clinics that they describe as “pill mills.” Pinellas County includes the cities of St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Seminole.

The billboard message is a statement from local coalition groups who have partnered with Pinellas […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:29-04:00June 1, 2018|In the News, Pain Management, Pharmacy, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Florida Pharmacy Allegedly the Cause of Eye Infection Outbreak

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has allegedly traced a rare fungal infection to an Ocala pharmacy, according to media reports. As reported, Franck’s Compounding Lab is believed to be at least partially responsible for spreading a rare fungal eye infection to over 30 patients across the U.S.

The CDC reports that eye drops and injections traced back to the lab caused the infections. These ophthalmic products contained multiple fungal and bacterial species, according to the CDC. The products have now been recalled, but were in use for over a year before the recall. The CDC has also issued a warning to avoid any product labeled sterile from Franck’s.

The patients impacted by the contaminated products had all undergone some type […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:30-04:00June 1, 2018|Department of Health, Health Care Industry, In the News, Pharmacy, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Franck’s Pharmacy Recalls Compounding Prescriptions and Shuts Down Sterile Compounding Service

Franck’s Pharmacy, Inc. located in Ocala, Florida, has issued a recall for its compounded prescriptions. The prescriptions impacted by this recall include all sterile human and veterinary compounded prescriptions distributed by Franck’s Pharmacy from November 21, 2011 to May 21, 2012. Franck’s Pharmacy made the announcement on the company’s website on May 24, 2012. To see the recall click here.

Recall Based on FDA Findings of Fungal Growth in Pharmacy’s Clean Room.

The recall was apparently prompted by action by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA notified Franck’s Pharmacy that environmental sampling of the pharmacy’s clean room revealed the presence of microorganisms and fungal growth. Because of the FDA’s findings, […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:31-04:00June 1, 2018|In the News, Pharmacy, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Franck’s Pharmacy Closes; Compounding Lab is Now Wells Pharmacy Network

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

July 31, 2012, marked the end of an era for Franck’s Pharmacy in Ocala, Florida, as the retail location closed its doors for good. According to an Ocala Star-Banner article, in July 2012, Franck’s Compounding Lab, which was one of the largest compounding labs in the country, was bought by Wells Pharmacy Network. The deal included Franck’s Lifestyles, which sells supplements and wellness products, but did not include the retail pharmacy location.

Click here to see the official press release from Wells Pharmacy Network.

Closed Pharmacy Comes After a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Finding of Fungal […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:34-04:00June 1, 2018|In the News, Pharmacy, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Florida Nurse Allegedly Filled Fake Prescriptions for Painkillers

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

A Central Florida nurse is in trouble with the law for allegedly writing fake prescriptions and illegally obtaining painkillers for herself, according to the Orlando NBC affiliate, WESH television. The nurse was allegedly arrested during the week of December 31, 2012. She is accused of trafficking in oxycodone and trying to fill forged prescriptions.

Click here to read the WESH article.

Pharmacist Did Not Fall For Fake Prescription.

According to an Orlando Sentinel article, a pharmacist, who was suspicious of one of the prescriptions the nurse tried to fill, […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:57-04:00May 15, 2018|Department of Health, Discipline, Pharmacy|