Citing ‘immediate danger,’ state places restrictions on pharmacy’s license

Citing an “immediate danger” to the public, state licensing officials have issued an emergency order restricting a Fort Dodge pharmacy’s ability to compound certain drugs for customers.

According to the Iowa Board of Pharmacy, Daniel Pharmacy of 1114 Central Ave., Fort Dodge, has “had ample time to comply with applicable standards for compounding with hazardous drugs, but continues to be non‐compliant” with state regulations and industry standards.

Daniel Pharmacy’s continued ability to compound drugs in this manner “poses an immediate danger to the public health, safety and welfare,” the board says, and it “cannot be allowed to continue compounding with hazardous drugs in a non‐compliant manner.”

The board has issued an emergency order restricting the pharmacy from compounding medications with hazardous drugs until it receives written permission from the board to resume such work. The order also includes a statement of charges alleging Daniel Pharmacy has violated regulations related to the handling of hazardous drugs and nonsterile preparations.

The specific nature of the pharmacy’s actions are not being publicly disclosed by the board. In 2021, the Iowa Supreme Court issued a ruling that bars state licensing boards from sharing with the public any information on the specific, alleged actions of licensees that lead to disciplinary charges, at least until the cases are resolved.

As a result, the information on Daniel Pharmacy’s actions, detailed in four paragraphs within the Board of Pharmacy’s emergency order, are redacted from public view.

John Daniel III, one of the pharmacy’s owners, said Friday the charges stem from delays in the business’ construction of a hazardous-drug compounding room within its laboratory. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, the pharmacy has had difficulty getting contractors to work on the room and complete the ventilation system that’s needed to protect staffers who work there.

For now, he said, the pharmacy will outsource the compounding of any hazardous drugs. He said he hopes to have the construction work completed within 60 days, at which point the work can be inspected and certified.

A hearing on the Board of Pharmacy charges is scheduled for Aug. 23. Daniel Pharmacy will be able to decide whether the hearing is open or closed to the public.