Frontenac dentist pulls out $70,000 federal settlement
St. Louis Business Journal - May 19, 2006
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A Frontenac, Mo., dentist agreed to pay $70,000 to resolve prescription drug diversion allegations under the civil provisions of the Controlled Substances Act, U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway said Friday.
Additionally, Jeffrey Rempala, 49, will surrender his federal registration to dispense prescription drugs for five years, according to a release.
In the civil settlement agreement, the government said that during the Sept. 27 through Oct. 12 last year, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted an audit of Rempala's purchases and dispensing of controlled substances at his dental practice on South Lindbergh Boulevard in Frontenac.
The audit determined that Rempala was unable to account for a total of 1,812 missing dosage units of Hydrocodone, Vicodin, Diazepam, and Triazolam, according to the U.S. attorney's release. The DEA determined that Rempala had prescribed Vicodin and Percocet for a family member on three occasions in late 2003 and early 2005.
On Jan. 30, Rempala's dental practice filed a DEA report of theft or loss of controlled substances form, which stated that 19 Vicodin pills were missing from the practice, with "employee pilferage" identified on the form as the "type of theft or loss," according to the release.
The Controlled Substances Act requires doctors, dentists, and pharmacies to keep prescription drugs in a secure and safe manner and to maintain accurate and complete records regarding the drugs it purchases, dispenses, and distributes. Civil violations of the Controlled Substances Act can trigger monetary penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.
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