"By failing to report suspicious orders for controlled substances that it received from rogue Internet pharmacies, the McKesson Corporation fueled the explosive prescription drug abuse problem we have in this country," said DEA Acting Administrator Michele M. Leonhart. "This civil penalty demonstrates the strong action DEA is taking to cut off the drug supply to pharmacies engaged in Internet diversion schemes."

The Controlled Substances Act is the primary federal law regulating the flow of controlled substances into the marketplace for medical purposes. Among other requirements, the Act requires that distributors register with DEA to sell controlled substances to retail pharmacies and report to DEA suspicious orders or the theft or significant loss of controlled substances. The Act authorizes the imposition of up to a $10,000 civil penalty for each violation of the reporting requirement.


The civil penalty will be collected by the U.S. Attorney's Office in each of the following districts, in the amounts indicated:

Middle District of Florida $7,456,000 District of Maryland $2,000,000 District of Colorado $1,000,000 Southern District of Texas $2,000,000 District of Utah $ 544,000 Eastern District of California $ 250,000

The settlement agreement is neither an admission of liability by McKesson nor a concession by the United States that its claims are not well founded.

This case was handled by trial attorneys from the following U.S. Attorneys' Offices: Middle District of Florida, District of Maryland, District of Colorado, Southern District of Texas, District of Utah and Eastern District of California. Additional assistance was provided by the Criminal Division's Narcotics and Dangerous Drug Section. Investigatory assistance was provided by the DEA.

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