The Idaho Board of Pharmacy has temporarily suspended the license of the former chief pharmacist at Chateau Drug in Ketchum, alleging in an "emergency suspension order" that 30 different illegally held prescription medicines were seized at the pharmacist's home earlier this month.
The suspension for Andrew D. Welch was issued on Jan. 11, six days after police and state authorities executed a search warrant at his home on Leadville Avenue in Ketchum on the evening of Jan. 5.
Meanwhile, Ken Sangha, vice president of Darsons Group Inc., the owner of Chateau Drug, reported Monday that he has terminated a contract with Welch to manage the store's pharmacy operation.
Welch has not been charged with any crimes.
"I don't want the public to think I'm a criminal," Welch said in an interview Tuesday. "There are a lot of facts that haven't come out yet. Unfortunately, at this time and by the direction of my attorney I can't say more."
Ketchum Police Chief Steve Harkins, who also serves as director of the Blaine County Narcotics Enforcement Team, said the investigation is ongoing.
"What has been found at his house is under investigation, pending possible charges," Harkins said Tuesday.
Harkins and Blaine County Sheriff Gene Ramsey reported last week that search warrants executed at the Chateau Drug pharmacy and at Welch's home followed a 10-month investigation into possible insurance fraud. In addition to the Sheriff's Office and the Narcotics Enforcement Team, the investigation and execution of the search warrants involved the Idaho Attorney General's Office, the Idaho Department of Insurance, the Pharmacy Board, the FBI, Blue Cross of Idaho and the Ketchum and Sun Valley police departments.
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Harkins and Ramsey declined to specify what items were taken in the raids, other than to say pharmacy records were seized and would be analyzed to determine if any crimes were committed.
However, the Board of Pharmacy suspension order states that 30 different prescription medicines "for which he [Welch] did not have valid prescriptions" were taken from Welch's home.
The order accuses Welch of violations of three Idaho laws and violations of four Board of Pharmacy rules, including supplying or diverting prescription medications for his own use.
The order states that Welch's license has been suspended temporarily because "there is an immediate danger to the public health, safety and/or welfare should respondent [Welch] retain his license and registration."
Board of Pharmacy Executive Director Mark Johnston said Tuesday that the emergency suspension temporarily "bypasses rights to due process" but that Welch will be given an opportunity to address the allegations.
To contest the Board of Pharmacy accusations, Welch is required to file a written response within 10 days of being served with the suspension order and to appear at an evidentiary hearing on the allegations.
Welch had served as chief pharmacist at Chateau Drug for four years. He was under contract with Chateau Drug through a company called NEBT Corp., headquartered in Idaho Falls. According to Idaho Secretary of State records, NEBT Corp. was incorporated in 2007 with Welch listed as the president and the only company officer.
Sangha said he terminated the contract with Welch and NEBT Corp. because of the ongoing investigation.
Sangha further reported that he has now hired pharmacist Jackie Mizer to manage the Chateau Drug pharmacy operation. Mizer has been both a retail and hospital pharmacist in the Wood River Valley for more than 20 years.
"We are now reorganized and currently operating with improved efficiencies and energy," Sangha said.
Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com
