I have been reading about some interesting discussions about the DEA pulling the license of a repackager. You know, the people that put the 90 count doses in "factory sealed" bottles. Of course none of the manufacturers make 90 or 120 count "factory sealed" bottles, only 100 or 500, maybe even 1000 counts.

http://www.dea.gov/pubs/states/newsrel/la120606.html

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 6, 2006
Contact: SA Sarah Pullen
Public Information Officer
213-621-6827

Internet Pharmaceutical Supplier Shut Down

DEC 6 -- (RIVERSIDE) – Ralph W. Partridge, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Los Angeles Field Division, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) today announced the Immediate Suspension of the Federal Controlled Substance Registration of Southwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Southwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 60 Empire Drive, Lake Forest, California, has been the subject of a DEA investigation that alleges that the company was selling large quantities of controlled substances to internet pharmacies. The investigation has revealed that several of Southwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s largest purchasers of hydrocodone were pharmacies engaged in schemes to dispense controlled substances based on prescriptions that were written for other than legitimate medical purposes. This investigation began in July 2006, when DEA received information that Southwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s sales of hydrocodone had increased from approximately 7,000 dosage units per month to approximately 3,700,000 dosage units per month.

Ralph W. Partridge stated, “Southwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has a responsibility to ensure that the drugs they sell don’t end up in the hands of drug traffickers who pursue their illegal business over the Internet. Drug traffickers who push pills over the Internet operate without regard for public safety or medical necessity. Today’s action is an important step toward ensuring accountability of those who are supplying these pills.”

DEA’s action today was to suspend Southwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s DEA Certificate of Registration in accordance with an Immediate Suspension Order and pursuant to Sections 303 and 304 of the Controlled Substances Act, Title 21, Sections 823 and 824. The DEA’s investigation of Southwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has determined that the continued registration of this company constitutes an imminent danger to public health and safety.

Southwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. received written notice of the factual and legal basis for this action. In addition, Southwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. will be given an opportunity for an administrative hearing within the next 60 days. After the hearing, the DEA Deputy Administrator will make a final decision on whether Southwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s registration should be permanently revoked. This decision will be published in the Federal Register.

Hydrocodone is the generic name of an addictive prescription painkiller that is classified under federal narcotics laws as a Schedule III controlled substance. Hydrocodone is typically legally prescribed to combat acute, severe pain for legitimate medical purposes. Accordingly, these prescriptions are usually for a modest number of pills to be taken over a short period of time.

This is an on-going investigation. Please forward any questions to DEA Los Angeles Public Information Officer Sarah Pullen at (213) 621-6827.

Some are saying these guys supplied a lot of the OCS pharmacies with their precounted prescriptions and may cause some interruption in deliveries from certain OCSs. I haven't had the time to really check it all out--PB

Articles like this are irritating, the so-called "Internet Drug Traffickers" are just an E.Z. target, gets them lots of media coverage, political pats on the back because it makes them look effectual in the war on drugs, meanwhile, meth, crack, etc. continues to be rampant and unchecked, when they do have someone suspected as manufacturing drugs, they send in L.E. that makes Ben-Hur look like a mini-movie, a major production which usually ends up with the arrest of one or two people, who are too spaced-out to even know what hit them.~ There must be other more important things for these guys to be doing...sure, there needs to be a protoccol to keep kids from ordering online...reputable ROP's have such protoccol. Jeez. if it were not so absurd, it would be tragic, actually it IS tragic.
I am not a common criminal, and have taken pride in being a good citizen, but this stuff makes me livid.
David

Thank's PB for posting this...look's like there will be some issues with this happening...I think you are right this is going to cause alot of delay's and who know's what else...this will be an interesting week...Dave, yes I agree it does make one livid... .... juju

Does that impact the pre-packaged ROP's like 1steprescriptions? Just curious..

That's a good question Katt, they say they use their own in-house pharmacy, whatever that means.

My bottLE says
Packaged Excluslvely by Dispensing SOLUTIONS, AND THEN GIVES A CALIFORNIA ADDY

This is all sooooo frustrating! You finally find someone that you can trust and then WhAM! they get shut down! I work in a law office and I am SHOCKED!at how many people come in and just admit blatantly that they are on street drugs! I had a guy come in last week and went completely off on me because he wanted money by Xmas and he didn't care what I had to do! But here are people that are just truly just trying to help out.

My heart goes out to all of them and I truly hope that they can find new jobs and that it doesn't affect their holidays. Sorry but I think it just is horrible and I really feel for them.