Livonia Pharmacy and Pharmacist Summarily

Suspended for Over Dispensing Controlled

Substances

Media Contact: LARA Communications 517-373-9280

Email: mediainfo@michigan.gov
December 8, 2017 The Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)
served orders summarily suspending the controlled substance license of Livonia
Care Pharmacy, Inc. in Livonia and the pharmacist license of Apoorva
Pandit, who is responsible for Livonia Cares compliance with the Public Health
Code. The Michigan Public Health Code provides for summary suspension of
licenses when the public health, safety, or welfare requires emergency action.
LARA also served accompanying administrative complaints on Livonia
Care and Pandit detailing their alleged dispensing of controlled substances
without good faith and a failure to maintain effective controls against the
diversion.
LARAs complaint indicates that Livonia Care was among Michigans highest-
volume dispensers of commonly abused and diverted medications, such as
promethazine with codeine cough syrup and soma, a muscle relaxant. According
to the complaint, Livonia Care dispensed dangerous combinations of drugs to
patients, including multiple patients who traveled a significant distance to fill their
prescriptions.
Governor Rick Snyders Michigan Prescription Drug and Opioid Abuse Task
Force called for a more comprehensive enforcement program against licensed
health professionals and facilities who participate in overprescribing and over
dispensing. Accordingly, LARA created a permanent Drug Monitoring Section
which focuses on identifying, investigating, and pursuing appropriate disciplinary
actions against individuals who overprescribe or divert controlled substances,
and individuals and facilities who over dispense controlled substances.
An order of summary suspension is a temporary measure to protect the public
and not a final determination that a licensee has violated the Public Health Code.
For more information of LARAs regulation of health professions in Michigan,
please go to michigan.gov/healthlicense.