Real World Cases of Diversion

To better understand the gravity of drug diversion in veterinary medicine, we turn to real cases that show how it occurs and what the consequences can be — legally, financially, and operationally.

Case 1: Covetrus Agrees to $1.125M Settlement

What happened: Covetrus, a large veterinary pharmaceutical distributor, failed to investigate and report suspicious orders of opioids between 2017 and 2020.
Key issues:

• Ignored red flags in order patterns
• Inadequate internal monitoring systems
  Outcome:
• $1.125 million settlement with the DEA
• Highlighted importance of distributor responsibility in controlled substance compliance
  Source

Case 2: Dedham, MA Veterinarian Settles for $15,000

What happened: A Massachusetts veterinarian was cited for failing to store and track ketamine and butorphanol according to DEA requirements.
Key issues:

• No proper inventory records
• Failure to secure drugs in a locked safe
  Outcome:
• Civil penalty of $15,000
• Clinic required to overhaul security protocols
  Source

Case 3: Missouri Woman Steals DEA Number to Order Tramadol

What happened: A veterinary employee used a stolen DEA number to fraudulently order tramadol under the guise of treating animals.
Key issues:

• Insider access exploited
• Lack of oversight in order approval
  Outcome:
• Criminal conviction for fraud and drug diversion
  Source

These cases reveal a pattern: where policies are weak, training is inconsistent, or accountability is lacking, diversion thrives.