DEA revokes two Sanford CVS Pharmacies' ability to sell controlled substances
by Rachel Delinski, Herald Editor
September 13 2012 at 1430 | 3306 views | 0 0 comments | 13 13 recommendations | email to a friend | print
The CVS pharmacy at 4369 W. 1st St. is one of two CVS Pharmacies in Sanford to lose the ability to sell controlled substances.
The CVS pharmacy at 4369 W. 1st St. is one of two CVS Pharmacies in Sanford to lose the ability to sell controlled substances.
slideshow
In an unprecedented action, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration revoked the registration for two CVS Pharmacies in Sanford to sell controlled substances such as oxycodone and hydrocodone.

According to the DEA this is the first time they have revoked the registrations of a large national chain. DEA Special Agent in Charge Mark R. Trouville announced the revocation Wednesday.

The two stores affected are at 3798 Orlando Dr. and 4369 W. 1st. St.

In February the DEA issued suspensions orders for the stores, temporarily stopping them from selling controlled substances. During that time the DEA also raided the stores and seized their controlled substances calling the pharmacies “am imminent danger to the public safety.”

According to the DEA, the two Sanford pharmacies had ordered more than three million dosage units of oxycodone in 2011. The average pharmacy, they said, ordered approximately 69,000 dosage units in the same period of time.

In late April Chief Administrative Judge John J. Mulrooney II issued a recommendation to revoke both stores' registrations based on evidence presented by CVS and the DEA at an administrative hearing that month.

Following the recommendation, DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart issued the final order to revoke both stores’ registrations Aug. 30.

“The final order issuance reflects the continued commitment of the DEA to identify and bring to light the diversion of controlled substance pharmaceutical drugs,” said Trouville. “The DEA Miami Field Division will stay the course until this diversion is no longer a problem in Florida.”