Media Release

For: Immediate Release
Date: May 6, 2008

Director of Health Closes Prime Drug Pharmacy in Providence; HEALTH Informs Patients How to Get Their Medications

On Monday evening, May 5, 2008, federal agents arrested an individual associated with the routine operations of Prime Drug, Inc., located on 613 Cranston Street in Providence, following an investigation that uncovered evidence of a medication buy-back scheme and the alleged re-dispensing of those medications to unassuming patients of the pharmacy.  Because of the potential impact on public health, Director of Health David R. Gifford, MD, MPH today issued summary suspensions for three employees at the facility – Domenic Colarusso, RPh, Pharmacist-in-Charge; Carmine A. DeTomasis, RPh, Pharmacist; and Carmine D. DeTomasis, Pharmacy Technician. A summary suspension was also issued for the facility’s license, closing the pharmacy. Federal agents have seized all medication in the facility, including any medications dispensed and awaiting patient pick-up.  Therefore, patients will not be able to obtain medication directly from the pharmacy under any circumstances. 

“This is a very serious matter of public health,” said Gifford. “We have no way of knowing that prescription medications coming from Prime Drug are the correct, prescribed dosage, that they have not expired, or that they have been kept at safe temperatures. Therefore, people need to know that they should not take any prescription drugs they have from the pharmacy, even if they look safe. Our main focus right now is letting people know how they can get a new prescription from another pharmacy and what to do to properly dispose of medications they may have from Prime Drug.”

HEALTH has posted information, in English and Spanish, for patients at the pharmacy’s location and on HEALTH’s website at www.health.ri.gov. Directions for patients who need to get prescriptions filled or refilled can be found on the site, as can directions for properly disposing of any unused medications. HEALTH has also communicated this information directly with all prescribing health care providers and pharmacists in Rhode Island. HEALTH is working with third-party payers and pharmacies to explore resolving issues regarding reimbursement for replacement prescriptions.

HEALTH Information Line staff are available to answer additional questions, in English and Spanish, at 1-800-942-7434 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.