Secretary of State Markowitz Urges Pharmacy Board to
Develop Safety Protocols for Oxycontin
Markowitz Asks Board to Consider Limiting Distribution
To High Security Pharmacies
Montpelier. Today, Secretary of State Deb Markowitz called on the
State Board of Pharmacy to develop safety guidelines for the
distribution of the drug Oxycontin. Markowitz, who oversees the Pharmacy
Board said "Oxycontin has been the target of a string of Vermont
drugstore robberies this summer. This is a very serious public safety
issue for the State of Vermont. We cannot wait until there is a tragedy
to put in place protocols designed to ensure the safety and well being
of pharmacists, pharmacy employees and members of the public."
The drug Ocycontin is a painkiller often prescribed to cancer
patients. But it has also become a popular street drug -- used as a
heroin substitute. Because of this, a black market for the drug has
developed, resulting in multiple burglaries and incidents of
prescription fraud in Vermont and across New England. Markowitz said, "a
recent armed robbery at a nursing home in Northern Massachusetts is a
wake up call for all of us. As our neighboring states tighten up their
law enforcement efforts to stop Oxycontin from getting to the street
there is a real danger that the criminals will move north, targeting
Vermont’s communities that have little or no police presence."
Markowitz made it clear that she believes it is important to
safeguard consumer access to Oxycontin for legitimate medical purposes.
Markowitz said "For patients who need it, Oxycontin is an important
option."
Markowitz called on the Pharmacy Board to work with Vermont and
Federal law enforcement to ensure that Vermont has in place protocols
that protect our more vulnerable drug dispensers. Markowitz said, "In
addition to establishing recommended safety protocols, I am asking the
Pharmacy Board to consider putting in place rules to limit distribution
of Oxycontin to those pharmacies that are most secure." As an
alternative, Markowitz recommended that the Board consider asking
pharmacists to limit the amount of Oxycontin they have in stock to make
the pharmacy a less attractive target for robbery. Markowitz also asked
the board to tighten up protocols designed to discourage prescription
fraud.
Markowitz said, "the Pharmacy board can play an important role in
helping to stem the tide of Oxycontin related crimes. It is my hope that
law enforcement will work closely with the board to come up with a
comprehensive plan that will help protect our pharmacists, pharmacy
employees and other citizens who may be at risk because of this
drug."
