BREAKING: RI Health Dir. Fine Halts Suspension of Pharmacist Blais

BREAKING: RI Health Dir. Fine Halts Suspension of Pharmacist Blais

The suspension earlier this week of pharmacist and former state senator Leo Blais has been halted by Michael Fine, M.D., director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH). Today, Fine sent a letter to Administrative Hearing Officer Catherine Warren, Esq., disapproving of the Consent Order ratified by the Rhode Island Board of Pharmacy in the matter of Leo Blais, RPH. Director Fine took this action under the authority of Rhode Island General Law Chapter 5, Section 19.1-5, which requires all board actions to be approved by the director.

Blais was suspended for 2 years for dangerous and lax practices, including improper labeling and storage of medications that led to including morphine in omeprazole prescriptions for an infant and a toddler. To read the details of the suspension, go here. 

“After reviewing the Consent Order ratified by the Board of Pharmacy, I consider the agreement between the parties outlined in the order to be insufficient, given the facts leading to the Summary Suspension of Leo Blais,” Dr. Fine said. “I have asked the hearing officer to render a decision in this matter.”

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