CHARLESTON, W.Va. — An Idaho-based veterinary supply company has reached a settlement with federal officials over alleged improper control of drug shipments to a Putnam County veterinarian.
U.S. Attorneys alleged MWI Veterinary Supply Inc. did not properly flag large oxycodone HCL drug orders from the veterinarian, Dr. Clara Ann Mason. MWI distributes supplies and pharmaceuticals for the veterinary industry across the globe.
According to federal officials, Mason made large orders of hydrocodone/acetaminophen and oxycodone HCL between 2018 and 2023. In fact, U.S. Attorneys said the orders were too large for both medical or veterinary practices. This led to concern about those pills eventually falling into the wrong hands.
U.S. Attorney for Southern West Virginia Moore Capito commended the work of his office in reaching the settlement with MWI.
“The authority to distribute controlled substance requires complete adherence to the law and mandated internal policies to protect our communities against the consequences of diversion and abuse,” Capito said. “This settlement agreement is the result of outstanding work by the Drug Enforcement Administration, our office’s Affirmative Civil Enforcement and Health Care Fraud Investigative Specialist Tyler E. Japhet, and Assistant United States Attorney Gregory P. Neil.”
According to federal investigators, Mason’s large purchases were opened for review in September 2022 by MWI’s Suspicious Order Monitoring System, but then dismissed the next day. U.S. Attorneys reported that there were nine orders received by MWI after that suspicious incident, which included a substantial 1,300-pill purchase, but Mason was never questioned.
“DEA registrants like MWI are obligated to uphold the stringent reporting requirements outlined in the Controlled Substances Act; a failure to do so can result in the diversion of medications that have a high potential for abuse, and endanger our communities,” said Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Louisville Division, which serves Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia. “Hopefully, today’s settlement will serve as a costly reminder that compels MWI to take the threat of drug diversion seriously.”
U.S. Attorneys already secured a default judgment of $956,709 against Mason last year. Mason was ordered by U.S. District Judge Robert Chambers to pay the maximum civil penalties.
Chambers found not only did Mason purchase large amounts of drugs, but she didn’t keep the drugs secured or properly keep track of them. According to U.S. Attorneys, Mason reportedly tried to cover her tracks by fabricating records.