Petitioner: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, BOARD OF PHARMACY
Respondent: JOHN E. KEELING, R.PH.
Judges: MARY CLARK
Agency: Department of Health
Locations: Tampa, Florida
Filed: Jul. 25, 2000
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Monday, October 2, 2000.
Latest Update: Dec. 23, 2024
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STATE OF FLORIDA 1B hee
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 00 WL 25. AMID: 31
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, ADMINIS BAI ATIVE
, . HEAR! ay INGS
Petitioner,
Vs. CASE NO. 99-03364
JOHN E. KEELING, R.PH.,
Respondent.
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"ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
COMES NOW the Petitioner, Department of Health, and files this Administrative
Complaint before the Board of Pharmacy against the Respondent, JOHN E. KEELING
and in support thereof would state:
1. Petitioner is the state agency charged with regulating the practice of Pharmacy
pursuant to Section 20.43, Florida Statutes; Chapter 455, Florida Statutes; and Chapter
465, Florida Statutes.
2. Pursuant to the authority of Section 20.43(3)(g), Florida Statutes, the Petitioner
has contracted with the Agency for Health Care Administration, hereinafter referred to as
the "Agency," to provide consumer complaint, investigative, and prosecutorial services
required by the Division of Medical Quality Assurance, councils or board, as appropriate,
including the issuance of emergency orders of suspension or restriction.
3. Respondent has been at all times pertinent hereto, a duly licensed pharmacist
pursuant to Chapter 465, Florida Statutes, having been issued license number PU
0003057.
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4. Respondent's last known address is 1282 Kingsway Lane, Tarpon Springs,
Florida 34689.
5. Atall times material to the allegations contained within this complaint the
Respondent was the consultant pharmacist for APS Pharmacy Management, Inc.
6. Onor about May 5, 1999 an investigation was performed by Agents of the
Petitioner and it was discovered that on or about January 2, 1999 a shipment of eight (8)
packages of Vicodin E.S. 7.5/750 tablets 7.5 mg. each were delivered to the pharmacy
where the Respondent is employed as a consultant pharmacist and were signed for by the
pharmacy manager. The shipment of Schedule II controlled substance pharmaceuticals
were left outside of the pharmacy department in the garage area, that was unlocked and
unsecured, as anyone had access to the shipment of pharmaceuticals. This shipment was
valued at $551.36.
7. On or about January 8, 1999 a pharmacy technician entered into the computer
system an order for $3226.80 of Schedule II and III controlled substances from the
distributor that services the pharmacy. The pharmacy technicians had been trained by the
pharmacy staff to enter into the computer system orders of pharmaceuticals to be
delivered by the distributor. The pharmaceuticals ordered are as follows:
a. Valium 10 mg. 3 x 500 tablets.
b. Vicodin E.S. 7.5/750 7.5 mg. 3 x 500 tablets.
c. Vicodin E.S. 7.5/750 7.5 mg. 3 x 100 tablets.
d. Vicodin Tuss Syrup 100/5 480 ml.
e. Vicoprofen 7,5/200 3 x 500 tablets.
8. On or about January 9, 1999 the aforementioned list of Schedule II and III
controlled substances were delivered to the pharmacy where the Respondent is
as a pharmacy consultant and the invoice was signed by a pharmacy technician employed
by the pharmacy. The shipment of pharmaceuticals were left again outside the confines
of the pharmacy department in the unlocked and unsecured garage area, which allowed
access to the Schedule I and III controlled substances by anyone.
9. On or about January 11, 1999 it was discovered by the pharmacy’s purchasing
agent that the purchase orders and invoices were missing for the January 2, 1999 and the
January 9, 1999 delivery of Schedule II and HI controlled substances. Copies of the
missing documents were faxed to the pharmacy from the distributor. These documents
revealed that not only had Schedule II and III controlled substances been ordered that
were not kept at the facility in such large quantities, but these pharmaceuticals were
missing from the inventory of the facility.
10. During the investigation the Lantana Police Department arranged to purchase a
quantity of the stolen pharmaceuticals from a pharmacy technician employed by the
Subject pharmacy. The purchase was made from the pharmacy technician and a warrant
was issued for his arrest on March 23, 1999. To date the pharmacy technician has not
been apprehended, and remains at large.
1]. The conduct of the Respondent as aforesaid is contrary to the provisions
contained in Section 465.016(1)(e), Florida Statutes, and Rule 64B16-28.112, Florida
Administrative Code by owning, operating, maintaining a pharmacy wherein that sale,
possession, or transfer of possession, either with or without a prescription, of any
medicinal drug is done in violation of the laws of the State of Florida or any federal laws; .
Rule 64B16-28.120(1), Florida Administrative Code by failing to store all medicinal
drugs or drug preparations within the confines of the prescription department of the
community pharmacy; Rule 64B16-27.430, Florida Administrative Code by the
delegation of duties, tasks or functions to a pharmacy intern without the continuing
review and ultimate supervision of a Florida licensed pharmacist who instigated the
specific task, so that the continuity of supervised activity is present between the
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pharmacist and the pharmacy technician; Rule 64B16-27.400(1)(a), Florida
Administrative Code by failing to supervise and be responsible for the controlled
substance inventory; and Rule 64B16-27.410, Florida Administrative Code by failing to
have a pharmacy technician under the direct and immediate supervision of a Florida
licensed pharmacist.
WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests the Board of Pharmacy to enter an
Order imposing one or more of the penalties proscribed by law, together with any other
and further relief deemed just under the circumstances.
SIGNED notes of 4h AKL ae
Robert G. Brooks, M.D.
Secretary, Department of Health
FILED _ fi
DEPARTS a By: Nancy M. Snurkowski
, Chief Attorney
CLERK i On Behalf of the Agency for
lo) lee) Health Care Administration
pate__ ogo _-
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COUNSEL FOR AGENCY:
Lawrence F. Kranert, Jr}
Senior Attorney
Florida Bar No. 0171063
Agency for Health Care Administration
General Counsel's Office - MQA
Practitioner Regulation
P.O. Box 14229
Tallahassee, Florida 32317-4229
(850) 487-2225
AG
PCP: Ghul 0
Docket for Case No: 00-003029PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Oct. 02, 2000 |
Order Closing File issued. CASE CLOSED.
|
Sep. 27, 2000 |
Motion to Close Case (filed by Petitioner via facsimile).
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Aug. 22, 2000 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions issued.
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Aug. 22, 2000 |
Notice of Hearing issued (hearing set for September 29, 2000; 9:00 a.m.; Tampa, FL).
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Jul. 31, 2000 |
Initial Order issued. |
Jul. 25, 2000 |
Request for Formal Proceeding filed.
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Jul. 25, 2000 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
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Jul. 25, 2000 |
Agency referral filed.
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