In 2015, a regional wholesale drug distributor Miami-Luken made national news when it was issued an Order to Show Cause (OTSC) by the DEA with allegations that the Springboro, Ohio based drug distributor fueled the opioid crisis in West Virginia. Then in 2019, shortly after a widely publicized congressional investigation involving Miami-Luken, AmericsourceBergen Corporation, CardinalHealth, and McKesson Corporation, Miami-Luken made national news yet again when it was announced that the U.S. government indicted Miami-Luken along with two of its former executives on criminal charges. Many, including myself were thinking will it ever end? Miami-Luken’s attorney, Richard Blake and myself were prepared to go to trial with the government in what only could be described as a David v. Goliath matchup. However, as the old adage goes and it holds true in this case “It is always darkest before the dawn.”

On August 11, 2022, Judge Matthew McFarland with the U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio signed a court order dismissing the criminal charges against the remaining defendants including Miami-Luken. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Benjamin Mink and I was the Director of DEA Compliance at Miami-Luken from April of 2015 to March of 2018 when I founded GTC Consulting. As such, I spent the better part of the past seven years on the front lines of this challenging situation addressing allegations from the DEA’s order to show cause, responding to inquiries from the congressional investigation, and fielding questions from prosecutors in this now dismissed criminal indictment. So, what now? Well, myself and my team at GTC Consulting will continue to provide the registrant community with the same superior level of regulatory and quality support we have before this decision was final. We will continue to work cooperatively with the government and the pharmaceutical industry to ensure that the future of the legitimate pharmaceutical supply chain and the public is brighter tomorrow than it is today.

In conclusion, I would be remiss if I did not give honor where honor is due. I would like to thank Miami-Luken’s attorney Richard Blake (@McDonald Hopkins LLC) who’s legal mind, integrity, and work ethic undoubtedly paved the way for such a conclusion. Also, honor is due to U.S. Attorney, Kenneth Parker and Judge McFarland for their character in being willing to look at this case with fresh eyes and with impartiality. I am truly a man among giants.

A copy of the court order can be viewed here: https://www.wvva.com/2022/08/12/federal-indictment-dropped-against-wva-pharmacists-accused-fueling-drug-epidemic/

GTC CONSULTING, based out of Cincinnati, Ohio is a leading consultancy that provides superior quality and regulatory support services to the pharmaceutical industry. These support service include; NABP Drug Distributor Accreditation (formerly VAWD) assistance, DEA Compliance consultation, Licensing/Registration support, Opioid Litigation support, Proper & Safe Drug Disposal support, and Drug Diversion Investigation & Prevention guidance. For more information contact us by email at info@gtcconsults.com.