An Iowa pharmacist whose license was suspended after he admitted to diverting thousands of doses of oxycodone, hydrocodone, and other drugs for his own use over a six-year period has had his license reinstated by the state's Pharmacy Board. While the Board did not provide any reason for the reinstatement, one factor that may have helped the pharmacist is that he self-reported the diversions to the Board, though only after he was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

If you are a pharmacist who has been accused of diverting prescription drugs for your own use (or for any other reason), the Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team is here to help. We can discuss your situation in confidence with you, advise you on what your obligations are as a licensed pharmacist, and we can represent you and protect your rights in any disciplinary matters that may follow. Call us today at 888.535.3686 or fill out our contact form, and we will schedule a confidential consultation with you.

The Pharmacist's Drug Diversions

According to news reports and records of the Iowa Pharmacy Board, in April of 2024, the pharmacist self-reported to the Board that he had diverted “many CII controlled substances for personal use over the previous six (6) years.” The next month he agreed that he would “not practice as a pharmacist or engage in any conduct that requires a license to practice pharmacy” until the matter was resolved, and that his license status would be listed as “Suspended” in the Board's licensing database “until further order of the Board.”

In February of 2025, that suspension was lifted. In a statement of charges that included a settlement agreement and final order, the pharmacist acknowledged the charges of drug diversion that the Board had filed against him. He agreed to certain conditions as part of his settlement with the Board. Those conditions included:

• Participation in the Impaired Practitioner's Health Program for Pharmacy
• Compliance with the requirements of his plea deal in his pending federal criminal case
• His pharmacy would not “maintain a controlled substance registration” until further order of the Board
• Payment of a $500 civil penalty

The Federal Criminal Charges

As noted, the pharmacist also faced federal criminal charges. In April of 2025, according to the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa, the pharmacist pleaded guilty to the theft of the prescription pills, with a potential sentence of up to four years in prison.

The Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team Can Help

If you are a pharmacist accused of diverting drugs or any other form of misconduct, you need the help of an experienced professional license defense attorney, someone who knows the laws, rules, and regulations that apply to pharmacists and who can fight to protect your rights and to defend your license. The Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team has the knowledge and experience you need when your license is on the line.

If you are also facing criminal charges as a result of the misconduct you're accused of, you also need an attorney who understands the complicated interplay between your pharmacy licensing issues and the criminal charges you're facing. The attorneys from the Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team have that experience. We know that the steps you take in one case can affect the result of the other case, and we are ready to coordinate our efforts in your licensing case with those in your criminal case.

Your pharmacist license is the key to your livelihood. If you have been accused of misconduct, you need to take effective steps to protect your future. The Lento Law Firm is here to help you do that. Call our Professional License Defense Team today at 888.535.3686 or fill out our contact form, and we will schedule a confidential consultation with you. Tell us about your case, and let us tell you how we can help.