Local Pharmacist Has License Suspended
By Aaron Riggs, CRI Weekly News
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Medicap Pharmacy in Oskaloosa is closed today because the lead pharmacist there had her state license suspended.
The Iowa Pharmacy Board met on Tuesday and imposed the suspension. The board alleges pharmacist Michelle Heidebrink’s “behavior constitutes a serious and immediate threat to patient health, safety and welfare”. Heidebrink is the owner of the Oskaloosa Medicap store.
Documents released on Tuesday say that, in March of 2012, the State Pharmacy Board alleged Heidebrink “lacked professional competency, employed unregistered technicians, and failed to maintain and provide records”. Three months later she was ordered to submit quarterly reports, retake a state pharmacy exam, and pay a $1,000 civil penalty.
Documents say she paid penalty this past October, but has not met the other two requirements. And, during a meeting in October, she “expressed confusion over standard pharmacy protocol” and confusion of the orders given more than a year ago. As a result the pharmacy board says it believes Heidebrink’s “physical and mental condition rendered her currently unable to practice pharmacy in a safe manner”. The board suspended her license on an emergency basis, without a formal hearing. Instead the Pharmacy board will hold a hearing on Jan. 13.