The Michigan Department of Community Health (DCH) has summarily suspended the pharmacist license of Paul J. Nugent, R.Ph., and the pharmacy license of Nugent Pharmacy in Caseville, Michigan, which is owned by Mr. Nugent. The DCH Bureau of Health Professions orders a summary suspension when it believes that the public's health, safety, and welfare warrant emergency action.

The suspensions were the result of a Huron County, Sheriff's Department investigation that was related to the possible chemical dependency/substance abuse of a patient. The investigation revealed that Nugent Pharmacy had dispensed 7,160 mg of Dilaudid (a schedule two controlled substance) to the patient even though Mr. Nugent admitted to knowing that the patient may have had a chemical substance/substance abuse problem. Mr. Nugent also admitted to dispensing controlled substances to the patient even though the patient did not have a prescription. Further, he admitted to contacting the patient's physician to request that he backdate prescriptions for medications that were dispensed in order to reconcile the pharmacy's records.

On June 18, 2008, DCH issued an Order of Summary Suspension against Mr. Nugent, and on June 23, 2008, DCH issued an Order of Summary Suspension and Seizure of Controlled Substances against Nugent Pharmacy pursuant to the Public Health Code. An administrative hearing will be scheduled to address the status of these licenses.

For more information on disciplinary actions taken by the health professional licensing boards within MDCH, please go to http://www.michigan.gov/mdch, and click on Health Systems and Licensing.