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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Inspections, Compliance, Enforcement, and Criminal Investigations

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  • Criminal Investigations

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    September 22, 2010: Pharmacist Indicted for Allegedly Distributing Prescription Drugs without Valid Prescriptions

    OCI Small Clear Seal 

     


     

     

     

    Food and Drug Administration 
    Office of Criminal Investigations

     


     

     

                 U.S. Department of Justice Press Release

     

    		 

    For Immediate Release
    September 22    , 2010

     

    U.S. Department of Justice

    Middle District of Pennsylvania

    Contact: Peter J. Smith

    (717) 221-4482 

     

          

    The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, announced today that a Pennsylvania licensed pharmacist who operated and managed a pharmacy located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania has been charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of misbranded drugs, making false statements to federal agents and money laundering.  

    According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, Stephen L. Marks, age 67, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, was charged in a seven count indictment by a federal grand jury in Harrisburg today. 

    The indictment alleges that Marks was illegally distributing pain medications such as hydrocodone and stimulants such as Didrex, phendimetrazine and phentermine. The indictment further alleges that these drugs pose a substantial risk of addiction and abuse. Marks operated and managed Pharmacy Services, Inc., located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Between June 2004 and January 2006, Marks allegedly distributed and dispensed controlled substances illegally for internet pharmacies to customers who visited websites and ordered their drug of choice, including the dosage and quantity.

    It is alleged Marks distributed approximately 989,000 units of controlled substances including 577,000 pills of hydrocodone, to customers nationwide and generated sales in excess of $1 million. 

    “The FDA Office of Criminal Investigations is fully committed to investigating and supporting the prosecution of health care professionals who place the public health at risk for personal profit,” said Thomas P. Doyle, FDA-OCI, Metro Washington Field Office, Special Agent-in-Charge.

    If convicted, Marks faces a term of imprisonment of up to 35 years and fines of more than $1,000,000.00.


    This investigation was conducted by the Food and Drug Administration, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Internal Revenue Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph J. Terz. 

     

     

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