Vermont Secretary of State - Press Releases by Deborah L. Markowitz

VERMONT SECRETARY OF STATE - Deborah L. Markowitz

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December 2004 Press Release

Press Release

For Immediate Release December 1, 2004
Contact: Kathryn Mathieson 802‑828‑2148

This press release is available digitally at http://www.sec.state.vt.us

Derry Pharmacy License Suspended; Pharmacy Closed Indefinitely

Montpelier. Today Secretary of State Deborah Markowitz announced that the Board of Pharmacy has suspended the pharmacy license of Derry Pharmacy located in Londonderry, Vermont.

Pharmacist-manager and owner of Derry Pharmacy, Dale Martens, was suspended in May for failing to keep his controlled drug inventory up to date, and because he had been cited to appear in Windham District Court on felony charges relating to regulated drugs. To accommodate the needs of patients in that area, the pharmacy was allowed to remain open under new management and other pharmacists were hired to operate the pharmacy.

The Board has since discovered that although other pharmacists were working at the pharmacy, none were designated as the pharmacist-manager by Mr. Martens and the proper paperwork had not been filed with the Board. Presently, there is no pharmacist who is willing to act as a pharmacist-manager for Derry Pharmacy. By law, a pharmacy cannot operate without a designated pharmacist who is licensed and in good standing with the Board who is willing to take responsibility for the operation of the pharmacy.

At an emergency hearing held on December 1, 2004, the Board determined it was not in the best interest of the public to allow Derry Pharmacy to remain open without a pharmacist- manager. The Board suspended the pharmacy license, effective immediately, and the Derry Pharmacy will be forced to close until the Board is satisfied that it is in compliance with state law and the public can be assured that safe pharmacy practices are being followed.

Secretary of State Deb Markowitz said, "The Pharmacy Board, in its decision last May, attempted to keep the Derry Pharmacy from being totally closed because it was the only pharmacy within a fifteen mile radius and it would have been very difficult for some patients if the pharmacy was to close on such short notice. The Board would have allowed the pharmacy to remain under new management, but Mr. Martens, the owner, has failed to find a new manager.”

Pharmacy Board Chair John Dorvee stated: “The Board is gravely concerned that no new manager has been hired and that Mr. Martens never let the Board know that his pharmacy was operating without a manager and in violation of the law, despite already being under investigation by the Board and law enforcement authorities.” Dorvee went on to say, “Any customer of the Derry Pharmacy who needs an emergency supply for chronic medication should contact their physician immediately and request that their prescription be transferred to another pharmacy.” There are three pharmacies located in Manchester, approximately 15 miles from Londonderry.

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Press Release

For Immediate Release: December 1, 2004
Contact: Kathryn Mathieson 802‑828‑2148

Is Your Business A Century Old?

If Yes, Then The Secretary of State Is Looking For You!

Program Honors Vermont's Centennial Businesses

Montpelier. Today, Secretary of State Deb Markowitz put out a call for nominations for the 2005 Vermont Centennial Business Awards program. The Vermont Centennial Business Awards honors businesses that have operated in Vermont for at least 100 years. This is a joint project of the Office of the Secretary of State, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and the Vermont Business Magazine.

Secretary of State Deb Markowitz said, “Any business that has been in operation in Vermont for 100 years or more can participate in this new awards program by filling out a registration form and providing verification of its business start date." Vermont's centennial businesses will be presented with a plaque at an awards ceremony and their names will be engraved on a permanent marker recognizing Vermont's oldest businesses.

“It is important to recognize Vermont's businesses for their longevity," said Secretary Markowitz.“It takes a tremendous amount of dedication to keep a business active for 100 years. Markowitz said, “The Vermont Centennial Business award acknowledges Vermont's oldest businesses for enriching our economic heritage. This program deepens our understanding of how Vermont's businesses have enhanced our community life during the last hundred years.”

The Vermont Centennial Business Awards Program will honor award recipients at a reception to be held in March. Any business that has operated continuously for 100 years or more in Vermont is eligible to participate in the Centennial Awards program.

For more information about the awards program and to print an application visit the Vermont Centennial Business Awards page on the Secretary of State's web site:

/centennial_business.html

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Press Release

Contact Kathryn Mathieson: 802-828-2148
For Immediate Release: December 30, 2004

This press release is available digitally at http://www.sec.state.vt.us

MIDWIFE's LICENSE REVOKED

Montpelier. The Secretary of State’s office announced today that the midwifery license of Roberta Rose Devers-Scott has been revoked. In February 2004, Dever-Scott’s license was temporarily suspended based on the evidence that she failed to follow critical procedures and practices prescribed by the Rules for Midwives in three separate cases. In the first case the infant suffered serious brain injury; in the second case the infant died.

In a 50-page decision issued by Administrative Law Officer Michael Lipson, after seven days of hearings, it was held that Devers-Scott“committed multiple acts constituting unprofessional conduct. A substantial number of those acts had implications for the care and safety of clients and their to-be-born children.” According to the decision, Devers-Scott license was revoked because her “inclination to avoid the physician community,” and her belief that “her views should predominate over the written rules that govern midwifery in Vermont” will lead her to “continue making judgments that do not sufficiently take into account risks that she knows may arise in the course of pregnancy, labor and childbirth. Permitting such behavior to continue will not advance the protection of the public.”

Devers-Scott is prohibited from teaching midwifery, attending, participating in, caring, consulting, treating, advising, assisting or in any form aiding, or consulting in the prenatal care, labor, birth, delivery or post-delivery of any pregnant and/or birthing woman in the State of Vermont.

A copy of the decision can be viewed at http://vtprofessionals.org/opr1/midwives/.

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