AG Probe Targets Andover-Based Mail Order Pharmacy

ANDOVER, MA — The Massachusetts Attorney General's office is investigating an Andover-based, mail-order pharmacy. The Injured Workers Pharmacy received 34.3 million opioid pills between 2006 and 2012, nearly three times more than any other Massachusetts pharmacy, according to data released by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration last week. The AG's investigation predates the public release of the DEA data,

According to the Boston Globe, which first reported this story, the pharmacy’s lawyer said the company is cooperating with the investigation. In a statement, Greg Saikin said the large number of pills stems from the fact that IWP distributes pills to patients all over the country, whereas other pharmacies on the DEA list only dealt with patients in Massachusetts.

Joseph Paduda of Health Strategy Associates, a consultant who specializes in workers compensation, told the newspaper IWP prescribes pills to patients even if the insurance company rules the prescription is not appropriate. "Their business model is essentially to identify attorneys that represent workers comp claimants and convince those attorneys to utilize IWP or encourage clients to utilize IWP," Paduda said.

For more on this story, see the Boston Globe.