A pharmacist has been arrested for allegedly stealing prescription painkiller medicine from a Sacramento County-operated pharmacy, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said Friday.
Marvin G. Gibson, 61, of Folsom allegedly stole the medication while he was employed as a pharmacist at a the county's Primary Care Center Pharmacy in the 4600 block Broadway in Sacramento, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Gordon Taylor said in a press release. Gibson surrendered at the DEA office on Friday, Taylor said.
"We are seeing an increasing trend of prescription drug abuse take hold across the country," Taylor said. "This case is a perfect example of how addiction to pain medications can affect people in all walks of life, even those working in the medical industry."
The DEA started the investigation in June 2008 with an audit of the pharmacy, Taylor said.
Investigators determined between August 2007 and January 2008, Gibson allegedly stole Hydrocodone on three occasions, Taylor said.
He said court documents show Gibson admitted to stealing approximately 60 Hydrocodone pills for his own personal use while working at the pharmacy.
Hydrocodone is commonly prescribed for moderate pain, Taylor said. Hydrocodone is one of the most frequently prescribed opiates, and the number one abused pharmaceutical drug in the United States, he said.
Hydrocodone is marketed, in its varying forms, under a number of trademarks, including Vicodin, Lorcet, Lortab and Norco, Taylor said.
The DEA's Sacramento office conducted the investigation with assistance from the Folsom Police Department and the California Board of Pharmacy, Taylor said.
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