Drug, Opioid Thefts A Stubborn Problem At VA Hospitals
In February the agency announced it was putting safeguards in place to combat the problem, but criminal investigators say it's hard to tell if they're working.
The Associated Press:
Suspected Drug Thefts Persist At VA Centers
Federal authorities are investigating dozens of new cases of possible opioid and other drug theft by employees at Veterans Affairs hospitals, a sign the problem isn’t going away as more prescriptions disappear. Data obtained by The Associated Press show 36 criminal investigations opened by the VA inspector general’s office from Oct. 1 through May 19. It brings the total number of open criminal cases to 108 involving theft or unauthorized drug use. Most of those probes typically lead to criminal charges. (Yen, 5/29)
The Associated Press:
A Sampling Of VA Drug-Theft Prosecutions
Government data obtained by The Associated Press show more cases of opioid drug theft or missing prescriptions at Veterans Affairs health facilities despite new prevention efforts. The VA inspector general’s office opened 36 new criminal investigations into possible drug theft from Oct. 1 to May 19. Doctors, nurses or pharmacy staff in the VA’s network of more than 160 medical centers and 1,000 clinics are suspected of siphoning away controlled substances for their own use or street sale — sometimes to the harm of patients. (5/29)
The Hill:
Report: VA Drug Thefts Not Going Away
Federal authorities are looking into continued drug thefts at the Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals, The Associated Press reports. The VA inspector general has opened 36 investigations from Oct. 1 through May 19 into possible opioid and other drug theft by employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals, according to the AP. That brings the total number or open criminal investigations to 108. (Hellmann, 5/29)
