Two pharmacists await sentencing after dispensing controlled substances
By Mary Alice Royse
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NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WSMV) — Two former Clay County pharmacists were barred Friday from dispensing controlled substances for the better part of the next to decades, officials said in a statement.
According to court documents, the Justice Department filed a civil complaint in Feb. 2019 alleging violations of the Controlled Substances Act and the False Claims Act against Dale Hollow Pharmacy and Xpress Pharmacy, including pharmacists John Polston, Michael Griffith, and others.
The government sought and received a Temporary Restraining Order and a Preliminary Injunction, which has remained in place and prevented the pharmacies and pharmacists from dispensing controlled substances.
United States Attorney Mark H. Wildasin announced that John Polston of Tompkinsville, Kentucky, and the former Pharmacist-in-charge of Oakley Pharmacy, inc., Dale Hollow Pharmacy in Celina, Tennessee, has relinquished his licenses to practice pharmacy.
Wildasin also said Michael Griffith, of Mount Juliet, Tennessee, and the former Pharmacist-in-Charge of Xpress Pharmacy of Clay County, LLC was also asked to relinquish his license to practice pharmacy.
Both Polston and Griffith are prohibited from applying for or seeking the renewal or reinstatement of a license or certificate to practice pharmacy anywhere in the United States.
Court documents showed that in addition to the other charges, John Polston pleaded guilty on March 23, 2021, to conspiracy to distribute and dispense controlled substances, illegal distribution of controlled substances, and conspiracy to defraud the United States and commit an offense through the payment of illegal kickbacks, in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute.
On August 26, 2021, Michael Griffith pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and dispense controlled substances and to two counts of health care fraud.
Both men currently await sentencing and must also pay civil penalties.
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