Local drug business probed

A Carson City business, which assists with importation of prescription drugs, is under investigation by a federal law enforcement agency for allegedly selling "adulterated, misbranded or counterfeit" drugs.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency searched the offices of Pharmacy International LLC on Arrowhead Drive, around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday. Agents seized office files, computer equipment and an employee's personal supply of Viagra, according to Pharmacy International President Ron Weddell. Agents left the premises around 1:30 a.m.

A spokesperson from the agency confirmed the raid. "Our agents executed search warrants in Carson City this week," spokeswoman Virginia Kice said. "They are part of an ongoing investigation."

She declined to comment any further on the case.

So far, no charges have been filed against the business or Weddell.

"I haven't done anything wrong," Weddell said. "What my business does is perfectly legal. The agency has its own reasons for conducting the search."

The search warrant cited "adulterated, misbranded or counterfeit" prescription drugs - and any records of their sale - as the target of the agency's investigation, Weddell said.

According to Weddell, Pharmacy International places orders with pharmacies overseas for prescription drugs, on behalf of individuals in the United States, charging customers a finder's fee. Clients later receive their orders by mail from the overseas pharmacy.

Weddell said he only accepts orders with a doctor's prescription and does not fill orders for painkillers or antibiotics.

"We deal mainly in maintenance drugs for long-term illnesses such as asthma, cancer and hypertension," he said.

According to Weddell, potential customers can only place their orders by phone - not over the Internet.

Usually, only manufacturers can import drugs overseas. But Weddell said an exception in the Food and Drug Administration's Code of Federal Regulations allows private citizens to import drugs for personal use. Title 21 only forbids individuals from importing prescription drugs, if "the drug is or appears to be adulterated, (or) misbranded."

With the growing price of prescription drugs in the U.S., patients are increasingly looking abroad, especially Canada, for cheaper drugs.

"Around 85 percent of prescription drugs sold in the U.S. are produced overseas," Weddell said. "So why then does it cost double, triple, the price to buy them here?"

The agents conducting the search did not shut down the business. Although the removal of some computers caused problems with the company's Web site, Pharmacy International remains in operation.

"We were already having computer troubles before the search, but we should have our Web site back up and running soon," Weddell said.

Agents told Weddell the confiscated materials would be returned within a week.

- Contact reporter Dan Moreau at dmoreau@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.