STATE LICENSED PHARMACY TECHNICIAN PLEADS GUILTY TO PRESCRIPTION ABUSE
Defendant Forged and Filled Oxycodone Prescriptions, Selling to Drug Abuser
CHRISTOPHER M. DAY, 31, of Federal Way, Washington, a Washington state licensed pharmacy technician pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to the federal felony offense of Acquiring a Controlled Substance by Forgery and Subterfuge. When sentenced by U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle on April 25, 2008, DAY faces up to four years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
DAY was employed as a “floating” Pharmacy Technician by Bartell Drugs from 2005 to April 2007. As a “floating” pharmacy technician, Day rotated among the various pharmacy locations in the Bartell Drug store chain within the State of Washington as directed by Bartell management. As a Washington State licensed pharmacy technician, it was Day’s duty to fill and dispense prescriptions as authorized by physicians. In November 2006, DAY began abusing his position as a “Pharm Tech” by creating phony prescriptions on his home computer. He created the prescriptions in the names of various individuals, using the name and DEA number of a Washington physician. He then forged the doctor’s signature and filled the prescription at whichever Bartells he happened to be working. DAY would then sell the drugs to a third party. DAY created and filled about 55 phony prescriptions from November 2006, until his actions were discovered by Bartell management in April 2007. Nearly all of the prescriptions were for 60 pill quantities of oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, in 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg strengths. The wholesale value of the Oxycodone was $16,659.
Oxycodone is an extremely addictive painkiller narcotic, which has shown increased unprescribed use among young people from 2005 to the present. Its unprescribed usage is associated with various ill health effects, including overdose and death. Those seeking the drug have been known to burglarize and attempt to rob pharmacies located within the State of Washington and elsewhere.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ronald J. Friedman.
For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office, at (206) 553-4110.
