Olde Philly Pharmacy and its Owner to Pay $350,000 to Resolve Alleged Violations of Controlled Substance Act

PHILADELPHIA, PA – United States Attorney William McSwain announced that Olde Philly Pharmacy has agreed to pay $350,000 to resolve allegations that three of its pharmacy stores located in Philadelphia violated the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) by failing to maintain complete and accurate records of controlled substances, including nearly 100 missing oxycodone and hydrocodone prescriptions. James Cirillo, managing pharmacist and co-owner of Olde Philly Pharmacy, is also a party to the settlement agreement.

The United States’ investigation involved three Olde Philly Pharmacy locations – 2923 East Thompson Street, 1427 East Susquehanna Avenue, and 2036-38 South 3rd Street.  

As part of the settlement, Olde Philly Pharmacy has entered into a three-year Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Drug Enforcement Administration, which includes additional responsibilities regarding the handling of controlled substances. The MOA imposes compliance obligations significantly more stringent than those in the applicable laws and regulations.

“Pharmacies that fail to maintain proper records of narcotics like oxycodone and hydrocodone contribute to the opioid crisis. At best, this poor record-keeping creates conditions ripe for diversion; at worst, it is a symptom of diversion itself,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “Pharmacies and pharmacists have a responsibility to ensure that all controlled substances are tracked through the distribution chain. For this reason, our Office is committed to ensuring total compliance with the Controlled Substances Act and we will vigorously enforce violations wherever we find them.”

Congress enacted the CSA to deter the illegal importation, manufacture, distribution, possession, and improper use of controlled substances, including prescription medications, and requires individuals and entities registered with the DEA to maintain complete and accurate records of all controlled substances and security systems so that controlled substances are not lost, stolen, or inappropriately dispensed.

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Philadelphia Field Division, Diversion Regulatory Group 2 (D72), and the investigation and settlement were handled by Assistant United States Attorney David A. Degnan.