Pharmacy Board Puts Lawmaker's License on Probation

The Missouri State Board of Pharmacy has placed a state legislator’s pharmacy license on probation for 3 years for dispensing pills improperly.

The board maintained that Missouri Rep. Lynn Morris was involved in verifying unauthorized prescriptions at Family Pharmacy, which he owns. He was among several other pharmacists accused of dispensing prescriptions under the name of physician Randall Halley, DO.

The pharmacy board’s settlement agreement with Morris stated there was an unwritten policy that employees could obtain non-controlled medications by creating a prescription under Dr. Halley’s name. However, the physician did not provide his authorization for these prescriptions.

In addition to Morris, pharmacists Mike Maloney, Chad Rollins, and Angela Hudson allegedly filled unauthorized prescriptions for themselves, family members, and other employees at the pharmacy, according to the settlement agreement.

“[T]hey knew or should have known that none of the prescriptions were lawfully authorized by the health care provider listed on the prescription or label as dispensed,” the settlement stated.

Allegedly, Morris improperly filled 16 prescriptions for himself, including medications for pain and nausea. He also filled an unauthorized prescription for his dog.

Morris told KY3 News he did not know he was breaking the law.

“If somebody would have tapped me on the shoulder and said, 'Hey, Lynn, that's against the law, Lynn,' I wouldn't have done it,” Morris told KY3 News.

He also indicated the incident was unfairly drawing attention to only him because he is a political figure, even though other local pharmacists were involved in the same dealings.

While his pharmacy license has been placed on probation, Morris has not been charged with any crime.