GASTONIA, N.C. — A pharmacist in Gastonia has been indicted after being accused of writing prescriptions to people who shouldn’t have been receiving them.
Cole Dixon Moore has been charged with five counts of providing oxycodone without a prescription and one count of providing Xanax without a prescription, according to federal documents.
Moore worked at Prescription Plus, according to social media.
Channel 9′s Ken Lemon spoke with Kevin Oliver, the executive director of Phoenix Counseling Services in Gastonia, about the incident.
He said there is a system that tracks the inventory at each pharmacy, and that’s likely why agents filed charges.
“For someone to not be under the care of a physician is the biggest worry because of overdosing, misuse, or just long-term concerns,” Oliver explained.
Opioids are the No. 1 cause of overdose and were responsible for 4,041 deaths in 2021, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Experts say most of the deaths are opioids laced with fentanyl. However, it’s still addictive and can lead to death.
“If you are getting them from a pharmacist, maybe it’s a little safer,” said Rebecca Kirkland, a licensed clinical addiction specialist.
Kirkland wonders why someone would work so hard to become a pharmacist and end up charged.
“The whole situation just sort of blows my mind,” Kirkland said.
Prescription Plus said Moore was not at work on Wednesday and officials would not comment on the charges.
The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine, according to the indictments.
VIDEO: Huntersville doctor charged with illegally buying oxycodone, selling prescriptions
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