A Mississippi importer and distributor of pharmaceuticals has agreed to pay the federal government $175,000 in response to allegations that the company failed to maintain complete and accurate records of controlled substances, including thousands of doses of Schedule II-IV substances.

Acting United States Attorney Darren LaMarca announced that Pharmaceutical Trade Services, Inc., which does business as Durbin USA, an importer, distributor, and exporter of pharmaceuticals in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, has agreed to the payment.

In addition to paying $175,000 to resolve the government’s allegations, Durbin USA has entered into a three-year Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which includes additional responsibilities regarding the handling of controlled substances.  The MOA imposes compliance obligations beyond those contained in the applicable laws and regulations.

Congress enacted the CSA to deter the illegal importation, manufacture, distribution, possession, and improper use of controlled substances, including prescription medications.  To help achieve this aim, the CSA subjects all registered handlers of controlled substances to strict requirements regarding the inventory control and recordkeeping of controlled substances.  These requirements ensure that DEA registrants account for controlled substances from the time that they are purchased until the time that they are delivered to other registrants, dispensed to patients, or discarded.  The CSA’s recordkeeping requirements play a vital role in ensuring the appropriate handling, accounting, and distribution of controlled substances.

In response to the Department of Justice’s focus on combatting the opioid epidemic, the DEA has continued to conduct inspections and audits of DEA registrants, including pharmacies, narcotics treatment programs, medical providers, and distributors, throughout the Southern District of Mississippi.  Based on results from multiple DEA audits of Durbin USA’s Ocean Springs facility, the United States alleges that Durbin USA violated the CSA by negligently failing to keep accurate records and inventories associated with Schedule II-IV narcotics that the company imported, distributed, and exported between 2013 and 2020.

“This settlement demonstrates our office’s continued commitment to combating the opioid epidemic on all fronts,” said Acting U.S. Attorney LaMarca.  “Part of our strategy is making sure that registered opioid handlers keep accurate records of these highly addictive and potentially dangerous drugs.  All individuals and facilities, large or small, licensed to handle controlled substances are responsible for maintaining accurate records, and all will be held accountable for any failures.”

“Prescription drug abuse has risen to epidemic proportions, with over 70,000 opioid related overdose deaths in 2020,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley.  “DEA Registrants, which include all importers, exporters and distributors, have an obligation to ensure that controlled prescription drugs are being distributed for legitimate use and not being diverted for abuse.  Through enforcement and regulatory actions, education, and training, DEA is committed to keeping our communities safe from those who facilitate and enable the abuse of prescription drugs,” said Byerley.