DEA halts distribution of controlled substances at Jupiter Walgreens center

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Posted: 09/15/2012

By: Associated Press

JUPITER, Fla. - MIAMI (AP) -- The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has halted distribution of controlled substances such as oxycodone painkillers at a Walgreens Corp. center in Florida.

The DEA on Friday issued an immediate suspension order for the Walgreens center in Jupiter. Officials said since 2009 it has distributed the most oxycodone in Florida. The DEA says Walgreens has not had effective controls on diversion of potentially dangerous prescription drugs at the Jupiter facility.

A hearing will be held on whether Walgreens' DEA registration for Jupiter should be revoked. Walgreens says it has taken steps to improve monitoring and reporting on controlled substances.

The move is part of a crackdown on illicit sale and abuse of highly addictive prescription drugs. Earlier this week the DEA banned sales of such drugs at two Florida CVS stores.