New Haven pharmacy pays $120K to settle allegations of violating controlled substance laws

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Cornerstone Pharmacy, Inc., operating as “Whalley Drug,” and its owner, Yong Kwon, have reached a civil settlement agreement with the federal government.

They have paid $120,000 to resolve allegations of violating civil provisions of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

The investigation started when the DEA served an Administrative Inspection Warrant on Whalley Drug. During the execution of the warrant, DEA officials interviewed Kwon regarding patients who had overdosed after filling prescriptions at Whalley Drug from certain area practitioners. The audit also revealed recordkeeping discrepancies related to several controlled substances.

Allegations against Kwon and Whalley Drug spanned from September 2017 to June 2021, suggesting that they filled prescriptions for controlled substances issued without a legitimate medical purpose.

These prescriptions included drugs given to individuals showing signs of abuse and addiction, dangerous combinations of controlled substances, excessive benzodiazepine dosages, and inappropriate distribution of controlled substances.

As part of the settlement, Kwon voluntarily surrendered the DEA license for Whalley Drug, which ceased operating as a retail pharmacy on June 22, 2021.

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