The mishandled drugs included 34,569 tablets of Valium, 9,385 tablets of
Doriden, 2,106 tablets of Gluthethimide, 6,240 tablets of Tylenol with codeine and 8,170 tablets of acetaminophen with codeine.
Valium, Doriden and Gluthethimide are used as tranquilizers, sometimes prescribed for people who are anxious or have trouble sleeping. Codeine, found in Tylenol and acetaminophen, is an opium derivative that is less habit- forming than morphine.
The drugs were mishandled between July 1984 and Feb. 19, 1986, the suit said. On that day, investigators from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration began to look into the pharmacy's practices. The suit did not say how the DEA had obtained its information.
The drugstore had filled prescriptions that did not contain the date, the patient's complete address, and the address and registration number of the prescribing physician, the suit said.
The store also filled a prescription for a doctor who, in turn, handed out the pills to his patients without prescriptions, the suit said. The suit does not name the doctor.
In addition, the store did not file proper forms for the drugs with the DEA, the suit said.
The drugstore and its owners are not accused of a criminal violation. The civil suit seeks $175,000 in penalties from the company.
