Nurse Sentenced For Adulterating Drugs

For Further Information, Contact:
Assistant U.S. Attorney Melanie K. Pierson (619) 546-7976

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – August 21, 2015

SAN DIEGO –Sarah Elizabeth Martin, a registered nurse from San Diego, was sentenced today to three years of probation, a $1,000 fine, 100 hours of community service and was ordered to pay restitution and complete a six-month residential drug rehabilitation program for removing Meperidine Hydrochloride (a generic form of Demerol®) from vials at the clinic where she worked in La Jolla with a syringe and replacing them with saline solution.

In order to conceal the adulteration, Martin glued the caps back on the vials and placed them back in the locker at the clinic with the other drugs to be administered to patients, intending to make it appear that the vials were untouched.  Although the adulterated drugs were administered to between 50-250 patients at the clinic, based on the investigation, there is no evidence that Martin’s conduct led to the harm of any patient, or involved a conscious or reckless risk of death or serious bodily injury.

At sentencing, Martin acknowledged that as a result of receiving treatment for a medical condition, she developed an addiction to pain medication, and began injecting herself with the generic Demerol® she had taken from the clinic.

“Consumers and especially patients rely on FDA to ensure that the prescription drugs they take are safe and effective; when actions compromise either the safety or the effectiveness of those medications, we will intervene,” said Lisa L. Malinowski, Special Agent in Charge, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations’ Los Angeles Field Office. “We will continue our vigilance and work to ensure that those who violate the public’s trust and endanger the public health will be brought to justice.”

DEFENDANT                                 

Sarah Elizabeth Martin                                               Age: 25                     

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Adulteration of Drug Held for Sale– Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 331(k) and 333(a)(2)

Maximum penalty: Three years in custody and $250,000 fine

AGENCY

Food and Drug Administration, Criminal Investigations Division