NEWARK
- A Newark store owner who operated an
unlicensed pharmacy from her establishment
has entered into an agreement with the
State of New Jersey to pay $40,000 in
civil penalties and cease activities related
to the distribution and sale of prescription
drugs, Attorney General Peter C. Harvey
and Consumer Affairs Director Reni Erdos
announced today.
Sandra
Lawal Santana, owner and operator of Amazonia
Brasil, located at 21 Prospect Street
in Newark, admitted that she engaged in
the practice of pharmacy without having
the required state registration and license.
She also acknowledged employing workers
who dispensed prescription drugs and who
were not licensed or registered to do
so.
Undercover
investigators from the New Jersey Division
of Consumer Affairs in August 2002 and
January 2003 purchased prescription drugs
at Amazonia Brasil without having a required
doctor's authorization. The prescription
drugs obtained were Lexotan Bromazepam
and Bactrim F.
"The
public was put at risk by this illegal
operation," Attorney General Harvey
said. "People could just walk up
to the counter, describe a condition or
symptom, and get from an untrained person
a prescription drug that ultimately could
do them more harm than good."
"State
regulations exist to ensure the proper
diagnosis and treatment of serious health
conditions," Director Erdos added.
"We require an examination by a doctor
in order for a prescription to be written
and that the prescription drug must be
dispensed from a licensed pharmacy employing
a registered pharmacist. These regulations
provide a health care process with integrity."
Under
terms of the settlement, filed yesterday
before Judge Harriet F. Klein in Essex
County Superior Court, $20,000 of the
penalty is stayed if the balance is paid
on schedule. Santana also is barred from
presenting her business as a pharmacy
and all activities related to operating
a bonafide pharmacy.
Deputy
Attorney General Susan C. Berger of the
Division of Law handled this matter for
the State.
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