fentanyl

More Than 7 Gallons of Fentanyl Missing From NH Hospital; DEA Investigating

The state has suspended the licenses of several Cheshire Medical Center staffers, including the chief nursing officer, and will consider whether to revoke the Keene hospital's pharmacy permit

A file photo of a bottle labeled "fentanyl citrate" next to a syringe
Getty Images, file

More than seven gallons of fentanyl solution have been reported missing over several months at a New Hampshire medical center, prompting an investigation by state officials and the license suspensions of several staffers.

The New Hampshire Board of Pharmacy will consider whether to suspend or revoke Cheshire Medical Center’s pharmacy permit on June 29.

The state has suspended the licenses of several staffers at the Keene hospital, including the chief nursing officer. It said some of the fentanyl was allegedly stolen by a nurse who admitted to taking bags of the drug from October through January. She signed an agreement not to practice in February.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used to treat patients with chronic severe pain or severe pain following surgery.

Parents are being warned about fake prescription pills that could contain lethal amounts of fentanyl.

“Cheshire Medical Center continues to work closely with government agencies on the ongoing investigation of this matter, even as we revise and refine our policies and protocols regarding the secure handling of pharmaceuticals,” the medical center said in a statement.

The Drug Enforcement Administration also said it is conducting an investigation.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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