LANSING –  The Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) served orders summarily suspending the controlled substance license of Joe’s Discount Pharmacy in Detroit and the pharmacist license of Yousef Kosho, who is responsible for the pharmacy’s compliance with the Public Health Code. The Michigan Public Health Code provides for summary suspension of licenses when the public health, safety, or welfare requires emergency action.

LARA also served accompanying administrative complaints on Joe’s Discount Pharmacy and Kosho detailing their alleged dispensing of controlled substances without good faith and a failure to maintain effective controls against diversion.

LARA’s complaint indicates that Joe’s Discount Pharmacy frequently dispensed commonly abused and diverted medications to patients, often in dangerous combinations.

Governor Rick Snyder’s Michigan Prescription Drug and Opioid Abuse Task Force called for a more comprehensive enforcement program against licensed health professionals and facilities who participate in overprescribing and over dispensing. Accordingly, LARA created a permanent Drug Monitoring Section which focuses on identifying, investigating, and pursuing appropriate disciplinary actions against individuals who overprescribe or divert controlled substances, and individuals and facilities who over dispense controlled substances.

An order of summary suspension is a temporary measure to protect the public and not a final determination that a licensee has violated the Public Health Code.