Wal-Mart Pays Fine for Pharmacy Record Violations

HOUSTON — Wal-Mart Stores, Bentonville, Ark., has paid the Southern District of Texas a $637,000 fine to resolve numerous alleged record-keeping violations of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act, reported acting U.S. Attorney Tim Johnson yesterday.

The fine was paid on Dec. 29. The settlement was finalized yesterday without an admission of liability and without commencement of litigation.

“The illegal diversion of controlled substances is a threat to public health and safety,” Johnson said. “Today’s fine should serve as a reminder to the pharmaceutical industry of its accountability to the public. The public should be reassured by the enforcement efforts of the DEA as well as the industry’s general overall compliance.”

Wal-Mart spokeswoman Daphne Moore told the Associated Press that the settlement was limited to records and inventory discrepancies in a number of pharmacies in Texas. Moore did not comment on if drugs were missing. "We provide our managers with training regarding controlled substances. Of course, we'll continue to review those practices," Moore said

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