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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
July 1 , 2008
FORMER ARKANSAS CITY VETERINARIAN AGREES TO $10,000 SETTLEMENT FOR VIOLATING CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT
WICHITA – A former Arkansas City, Kan., veterinarian has agreed to pay $10,000 in a civil agreement over violations of the federal Controlled Substances Act.
Tamara Zimmerman, who formerly owned the TLC Veterinary Clinic in Arkansas City, was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration regarding missing controlled substances including injectable hydromorphone, tablet hydromorphone phenobarbital, diazepam, ketaset, injectable morphine and fentayl patches. In September 2007, an audit by the DEA turned up missing and incomplete records. Investigators also determined that controlled substances were being stored in an unlocked gun cabinet in violation of federal regulations.
Zimmerman voluntarily surrendered her DEA controlled substances registration on Sept. 6, 2007. As part of the settlement agreement, she has to wait at least three years to apply again.
U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Laurie Kahrs for their work on the case.
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