Attorney Joseph Lento Can Aggressively Defend Your Pharmacist License
If you're a licensed pharmacist in New Jersey or New York who is facing disciplinary action against your license, attorney Joseph D. Lento can help. Contact the Lento Law Firm at (888) 535-3686 today to schedule a consultation.
Pharmacists are held to a high standard of care—and with good reason. When you're responsible for dispensing prescription medications, the simplest mistake in the dosage or the medication can cause harm or even death. State Boards of Pharmacy hold their licensed pharmacists to exceptionally high standards of ethical and professional excellence, and a single complaint can result in having your license revoked, and your career along with it. That's why if you're accused of misconduct as a pharmacist, you need an aggressive and skilled pharmacist license defense attorney on your side.
The Lento Law Firm has years of experience defending the licenses of pharmacists and other licensed professionals. Attorney Joseph D. Lento will work on your behalf to make sure your rights are protected and improve your chances of a favorable outcome with the licensing board.
What types of offenses could endanger my pharmacist license?
In general, any type of misconduct or wrongdoing that would call into question your honesty, integrity, or professional competence can put your pharmacist license at risk. Some of the most common complaints against pharmacists include (but are not limited to):
- Fraud. Examples include overcharging patients for medications, "upcoding" for insurance purposes, substituting cheaper drugs for more expensive ones, etc.
- Gross incompetence. When it comes to dispensing medications, there is no room for error. If you miscalculate dosages or give a patient the wrong prescription and consequently cause harm, for example, these could be grounds for losing your license. Accuracy is absolutely critical for a pharmacist.
- Poor record-keeping. Examples include keeping inaccurate inventories, violating HIPAA privacy regulations, etc.
- Mishandling medications. Examples include diverting medications for personal use or for street sales, etc. (You may also come under scrutiny for filling unusual amounts of opioids as investigators crack down on this type of abuse.)
- Criminal convictions. Being convicted of certain crimes can put your pharmacist license in jeopardy.
What happens when someone files a complaint against my license?
If a complaint is filed against you with the board of pharmacy, the board will first review the complaint to see if it falls within their authority, followed by opening an investigation. The board may request that you submit a written response to the complaint as well as any evidence to support your claims. If the complaint is serious enough, the board may place an emergency temporary suspension on your license until the disciplinary procedure is complete.
If the board obtains significant proof to back up a complaint, they may attempt to negotiate a consent order with you in which you would acknowledge your misconduct and accept the penalty advised by the board. If no consent order is offered or agreed to, you will be asked to appear at a formal hearing to show cause as to why the board should not impose disciplinary action. The board will then make a decision regarding whether to take action against your license, up to and including revoking it.
Be advised that even if the board permits you to keep your pharmacist license and instead imposes a lesser penalty such as fines or probation, any disciplinary action against your license can still do damage to your professional reputation because it becomes a matter of public record. As an experienced pharmacist license lawyer, Joseph D. Lento can negotiate with the board to save your license and limit the damage to your record.
Why do I need a pharmacist license defense attorney to help me?
When a complaint is filed against you, the board of pharmacy will actively begin looking for evidence to back the complaint--including, in some cases, anything you say or do in response to it. In other words, they're not giving you the benefit of the doubt because their job is not to protect you, but to protect the public. This puts you at a disadvantage. A qualified pharmacist defense attorney can assist you in navigating this complex situation while ensuring that your rights are protected.
Attorney Joseph Lento is experienced in the board of pharmacy's disciplinary procedures and has a thorough understanding of them. His knowledge can make a huge difference in your case, increasing your chances of retaining your pharmacist license. The Lento Law Firm can do the following on your behalf:
- Act as your legal representative in all correspondence with the board.
- Examine the facts of the complaint to determine how best to respond
- Prepare a compelling written response to the complaint (which may be enough in its own right to have the complaint dismissed)
- Gather evidence and witnesses in your favor
- Negotiate at multiple points with the board of pharmacy to have the complaint dismissed or for more lenient penalties
- Defend you aggressively at a formal hearing, if needed
I've been notified of a complaint against my pharmacist license. How soon should I call an attorney?
If you have been notified of a complaint against your pharmacist license, you should contact an experienced pharmacist license defense attorney as soon as possible. Don't wait until you are summoned to a formal hearing to hire an attorney because you will already be on the defensive by that point. Involving an attorney early in the process gives the attorney more chances to negotiate for a resolution of the complaint, possibly avoiding the need for a hearing altogether.
The sooner you have proper legal representation, the better your chances of protecting your license and your livelihood. Contact the Lento Law Firm today at (888) 535-3686 for a case evaluation.
