A Tilton veterinarian will pay thousands of dollars to settle an outstanding legal case with the U.S. Attorney’s Office after an anonymous tipster alerted authorities to problems at the practice, according to a Department of Justice release.
Sara Laroux, owner of the Tilton Veterinary Hospital, agreed to pay the United States $53,500 to settle allegations she violated the Controlled Substances Act in failing to maintain accurate records of controlled drugs, including opioids, Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack said Wednesday, January 22.
Laroux declined to comment Thursday afternoon.
The act is meant to deter the illegal distribution, possession, dispensing and improper use of controlled substances. It requires accurate inventory keeping, tracking and record keeping of each controlled substance to prevent misuse.
On Jan. 19, 2024, representatives of the Drug Enforcement Administration Manchester District Office conducted an on-site inspection at Tilton Veterinary Hospital based on receiving an anonymous tip stating Laroux’s controlled substance logs were incorrect, and order forms and invoices of Schedule II-V controlled substances were not being stored separately.
The tip also stated Laroux was missing controlled substances. At the conclusion of the inspection, the office determined Laroux was in violation of the Controlled Substances Act and its implementing regulations, specifically, Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations Sections 1301 and 1304.
“Particularly amid an opioid crisis, compliance with the CSA’s prescription-writing and record-keeping requirements is essential in ensuring that opioids and other addictive drugs are not diverted and abused,” McCormack said. “With the help of our partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to prioritize enforcement of this vital statute using all available tools at our disposal.”
Investigators conducted an on-site inspection of records and an accountability audit of controlled substance inventories and record-keeping processes there. They discovered numerous violations of the CSA: Laroux apparently failed to maintain complete and accurate records of controlled substances she received, dispensed or destroyed; failed to conduct proper inventories of controlled substances received by the hospital; and altered pages of her records and forged signatures.
The investigation also resulted in the discovery of significant shortages of controlled substances received by the hospital, and that Laroux failed to provide effective controls and procedures to prevent theft and diversion of controlled substances. Additionally, she was apparently not present at the hospital for long periods of time while controlled substances were left unsecured and unmonitored.
“DEA registrants are responsible for handling controlled substances responsibly and ensuring that complete and accurate records are being properly kept and accounted for in compliance with the Controlled Substance Act,” Acting DEA Special Agent in Charge Stephen Belleau of the New England Field Division said. “We are committed to working with our law enforcement and regulatory partners to ensure that these rules and regulations are followed.”
The DEA led the investigation leading to the settlement agreement. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Raphael Katz.
— GABRIEL PERRY/LACONIA DAILY SUN
