San Diego County Veterinary Clinic Pays $125,000 for Mishandling Controlled Substances

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – January 17, 2024

SAN DIEGO – Best Veterinary Care, a veterinary clinic in Valley Center, has paid $125,000 to resolve alleged Controlled Substances Act violations for diversion of controlled substances and failure to properly keep records necessary to account for controlled substances.

The settlement arises from a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration investigation into suspected illegal activity at Best Veterinary Care d/b/a Valley Center Veterinary Clinic. Based on an inventory audit conducted by the DEA and other investigative activity, the Government concluded that Best Veterinary Care committed multiple violations of the Controlled Substances Act from 2020 through 2022. The alleged violations include failing to control the clinic’s inventory of controlled substances, failing to maintain a complete record of controlled substances, and failing to maintain effective controls to guard against theft and diversion of controlled substances. Best Veterinary Care’s failure to control inventory included unaccounted-for pills, including benzodiazepines alprazolam (e.g., Xanax) and diazepam and tramadol, an opioid.

In addition to paying $125,000 to resolve the government’s claims, Best Veterinary Care entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the DEA requiring Best Veterinary Care to undertake additional measures to handle controlled substances properly and safely.

“Veterinarians have a responsibility to keep opioids and other dangerous drugs out of the wrong hands,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “Failure to do so is not only reckless but is illegal and contributes to the raging opioid epidemic in this country.”

“Veterinarians, like all registrants, must dispense controlled substances in a lawful manner and provide effective controls to prevent the diversion of controlled substances,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Shelly Howe. “DEA will continue to ensure registrants are upholding these policies and procedures.”

This settlement was the result of a coordinated effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

To report a tip directly to a DEA representative regarding medical personnel writing suspicious opioid prescriptions and pharmacies dispensing large amounts of opioids, call (571) 324-6499, or visit the DEA’s website (https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/) and click on “Report Illicit Pharmaceutical Activities.”

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dylan M. Aste.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.