Tracking of prescription drugs at Central Prison under investigation
Questions over unaccounted prescription drugs at Central Prison have prompted federal and state investigations, sources told WRAL News.
Posted — UpdatedThe federal Drug Enforcement Administration and the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy began examining the Central Prison Healthcare Complex after internal audits revealed inventory records didn’t match prescriptions, according to sources.
The DEA and the pharmacy board would neither confirm nor deny any investigation, but state Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Pamela Walker confirmed Friday that the DEA is conducting "an inspection" at the prison hospital.
Sources said Dean Doering, the chief executive of the Central Prison Healthcare Complex, and other top administrators have been placed on paid leave during the outside investigations.
Walker said Thursday that an internal DPS review resulted in some hospital staffers being reassigned, but she said Friday that no employees have been fired as a result of the review.
A person close to the investigation believes hospital staff didn't properly document various prescription drugs after a new automated central pharmacy system was installed. The person doesn't suspect intentional wrongdoing, but improper accounting of drugs could lead to theft and abuse.
In 2009, the State Auditor's Office criticized the central pharmacy for state prisons for inadequate inventory control over $25 million in annual drug and pharmaceutical supply purchases.
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