Coconut Grove Pharmacy
Outcome
DEA issued Order to Show Cause and Immediate Suspension September 8, 2022, for failing to resolve red flags for seven patients; registration revoked effective July 15, 2024.
Details
Coconut Grove Pharmacy — DEA Immediate Suspension and Revocation (2022–2024)
Outcome: DEA revoked Coconut Grove Pharmacy's DEA registration effective July 15, 2024, following an Order to Show Cause and Immediate Suspension issued September 8, 2022, based on the pharmacy's failure to identify, resolve, and document the resolution of red flags for controlled substance prescriptions.
On September 8, 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration issued an Order to Show Cause and Immediate Suspension of Registration (OSC/ISO) to Coconut Grove Pharmacy of Florida. The DEA's action was premised on the pharmacy's alleged failure to identify, resolve, and document the resolution of potential red flags associated with prescriptions for controlled substances.
DEA found that Coconut Grove's dispensing fell below Florida's standard of care and was outside the usual course of professional practice. The agency found the pharmacy had dispensed controlled substance prescriptions to seven patients without properly addressing and resolving red flags of abuse and/or diversion. The red flags included drug cocktails (dangerous combinations of controlled substances), immediate-release and high-dosage opioids, and patients alternating between paying for prescriptions with cash and through insurance.
A critical finding from the DEA proceeding was that writing "verified" on a prescription does not meet the standard of care for pharmacists in Florida with respect to identifying and documenting the resolution of red flags. The government's expert testified that any red flag associated with a controlled substance prescription must be resolved, and that resolution must be documented before dispensing occurs. The final order revoking Coconut Grove's DEA registration became effective July 15, 2024.
Primary Source: Coconut Grove Pharmacy; Decision and Order (Fed. Reg. Jun. 13, 2024)
How Crucible Prevents This
DEA found that writing "verified" on a prescription is insufficient documentation under Florida standard of care. Crucible's structured red-flag documentation protocol would require pharmacists to log the specific basis for verification before dispensing — exactly the gap DEA cited as disqualifying.
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