Northport Pharmacies React to Pain Killer 'Epidemic'

Following the announcement last Monday by Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone of a meant to increase safety and deter robberies at local drugstores, pharmacists in Northport and East Northport expressed concern but say they’re continuing to exercise common sense when dealing with the public.

Sheril V., a pharmacist at on Route 25A in Northport said she hadn’t heard of any plans for CVS to install panic buttons, and noted that the area of the pharmacy within the store was too big for bullet proof glass anyway. “I don’t think CVS would ever do that because CVS looks at customer service as being their number one priority."

She noted that she and the other pharmacists are already familiar with the warning signs of possibly fraudulent prescriptions, including a non-local residence and customers who are willing to pay without going through their insurance company. “It’s things we’ve always being doing but we’re a little more careful now.” She added, “I never thought I’d have to worry about this when I was going to school.”

One red flag is a phone call from someone asking if the pharmacy carries the painkiller Oxycodone in a certain color, which can lead to a greater street value and a more potent high. In that case, Sheril says she tells the caller that the pharmacy won’t discuss it over the phone.

Independently owned in East Northport, which was the centerpiece of an ABC Eyewitness News story this week, had security cameras installed at both doors and the cash register areas after the fatal shootings in Medford. Bob, a pharmacist, said gates were installed two or three years ago after thieves would throw cinderblocks through the glass windows and steal painkillers. “When it happened twice in one month, it was time to get the gates installed.”

He also noted that the makers of Oxycontin have re-formulated the product. Now if someone tries to dissolve it, it turns into a gel-like substance so it can’t be snorted or injected.

Pharmacists at two other major chain drugstores preferred not to give their names but were more than happy to share their opinions.

“The government needs to get stricter with the patients who are going to the doctor’s office and getting these prescriptions,” one said. Asked if he felt threatened, the man replied. “Sure. You don’t know what lunatic is going to come in here.”

As for Purdue Pharma, maker of the painkiller Oxycontin, and their plans to train police officers and educate pharmacists to recognize fraudulent prescriptions, the man said he thought it was all a PR ploy. “The company is trying to look good for the public so it looks like they’re doing something.”

Another pharmacist at another major chain said she would be interested in sitting in on one of the training sessions. As for feeling threatened, she says she “deals with it day by day” and takes the usual precautions including verifying every painkiller prescription with the doctor.

While the Northport area has thankfully not had any of the high profile robberies that have plagued other parts of Long Island, prescription drug theft still makes the news. In October 2010 a pharmacy employee at Rite Aid on Route 25A  was for allegedly stealing hydrocodone. She admitted to the theft and was charged with petty larceny and possession of a controlled substance.