DEA Bans Glasgow Pharmaceutical Distributor from Handling Controlled Substances

Richie Pharmacal faces immediate suspension order due to compliance issues and public safety concerns

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has issued an Immediate Suspension Order (ISO) to Richie Pharmacal, a pharmaceutical distributor in Glasgow, Kentucky, suspending the company's authority to handle any controlled substances. The DEA cited several compliance discrepancies and violations of the Controlled Substances Act at Richie Pharmacal's distribution facility, which the agency says contributed to the diversion of medications often linked with abuse and endangered public safety.

Why it matters

The DEA's action against Richie Pharmacal highlights the agency's efforts to combat the diversion of controlled substances and protect public health and safety. As a pharmaceutical distributor, Richie Pharmacal was entrusted to handle controlled medications responsibly, but the DEA's findings suggest the company failed to meet its legal obligations, potentially contributing to the opioid crisis and other drug abuse issues in the local community.

The details

According to the DEA, its diversion investigators discovered several compliance issues and violations of the Controlled Substances Act at Richie Pharmacal's distribution facility in Glasgow. As a result, the agency issued an Immediate Suspension Order, which immediately suspends the company's authority to handle any controlled substances. The DEA stated that Richie Pharmacal's actions 'contributed to the diversion of medications often linked with abuse, threatened the safety of our community, and endangered American lives.'

  • The DEA issued the Immediate Suspension Order on Tuesday, February 11, 2026.

The players

Richie Pharmacal

A pharmaceutical distributor located in Glasgow, Kentucky that has been banned by the DEA from handling controlled substances due to compliance issues and public safety concerns.

Jim Scott

The special agent in charge of the DEA's Louisville Field Division, who stated that Richie Pharmacal's actions 'contributed to the diversion of medications often linked with abuse, threatened the safety of our community, and endangered American lives.'

DEA

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the federal agency responsible for enforcing the Controlled Substances Act and combating the diversion of controlled substances.

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What they’re saying

“Richie Pharmacal's actions in this case contributed to the diversion of medications often linked with abuse, threatened the safety of our community, and endangered American lives.”

— Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Louisville Field Division

What’s next

Richie Pharmacal has 30 days to request a hearing to contest the DEA's Immediate Suspension Order. However, the suspension will remain in effect until all administrative proceedings are finalized.

The takeaway

This case highlights the DEA's ongoing efforts to hold pharmaceutical distributors accountable for their role in the opioid crisis and other drug abuse issues. It serves as a warning to all DEA registrants that they must strictly adhere to the Controlled Substances Act and their legal obligations, or face severe consequences that can impact public safety.