PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that the United States filed a civil lawsuit against Philadelphia-based pharmacy Spivack, Inc., which previously operated under the name Verree Pharmacy, and its former owner, pharmacist Mitchell Spivack, alleging that they engaged in a years-long practice of illegally dispensing opioids and other controlled substances, and systematic health care fraud. The lawsuit alleges that Verree and Spivack illegally dispensed unparalleled quantities of opioids and other controlled substances into the Philadelphia community. The complaint seeks civil penalties and civil damages, which could total in the millions of dollars, as well as injunctive relief.

The culmination of a multi-year federal-state investigation, the complaint alleges that Verree Pharmacy, its pharmacist and then-owner Mitchell Spivack and other employees of Verree, had a responsibility to dispense opioids and other controlled substances only when appropriate. Instead, the United States alleges that the pharmacy and Spivack dispensed the drugs, even when faced with numerous red flags suggestive of diversion—such as opioids in extreme doses, dangerous combinations of opioids and other “cocktail” drugs preferred by those struggling with addiction, excessive cash payments for the drugs, blatantly forged prescriptions, and other signs that the pills were being diverted for illegal purposes. The complaint alleges that Verree—which was the top...

Read Full Story: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/us-attorney-s-office-files-suit-against-...