By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
A Glasgow pharmaceutical distributor is suing the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, asking the court to, among other things, dissolve the Immediate Suspension Order and return its controlled substance inventory.
The civil court case, which was filed in D.C. District Court on March 31, stems from the Immediate Suspension Order issued against Richie Pharmacal that allowed DEA agents to seize the distributor’s controlled substance inventory and to revoke its ability to handle and distribute narcotics on the federal schedule list. Martin Red, the diversion program manager for the DEA’s Louisville division, previously told Glasgow News 1 that the order was issued due to public safety concerns.
The case claims the order was “arbitrary and capricious” and that Richie’s due process was violated by not providing a “prompt post-suspension hearing.”
Richie Pharmacal requests the court to declare the DEA’s suspension order unlawful and therefore dissolve it, to have Richie’s controlled substance inventory and Certificate of Registration — which allows the distributor to “purchase, store, and sell controlled substances” immediately returned, award Richie Pharmacal attorney and court costs, and to stop the DEA from enforcing the suspension order, according to the complaint.
“Richie has faced irreparable harm to its business, including the loss of customers, sales, and revenue that it will never recover, and company goodwill,” the lawsuit stated.
Kevin McWilliams, public information officer for the DEA’s Louisville Field Office, declined to comment on pending litigation.
Glasgow News 1 attempted to contact Andrew Hull, Richie’s counsel, but have not received a response by the time of publication. This story may be updated upon receipt of any additional responses.
