SALT LAKE CITY — A veterinarian who operates a research clinic in Logan will pay the United States $200,000 in civil penalties to resolve allegations he mishandled controlled substances, including purchasing them for his personal use.
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah, Dr. Michael J. Larson agreed to the settlement regarding operations at IBEX Pre-Clinical Research, Inc. in Logan.
The company conducts orthopedic surgical studies on laboratory animals, and in February the DEA received a tip alleging that controlled substances at the business were being diverted for Larson’s personal use.
The DEA investigated and confirmed that Larson was in violation of numerous record-keeping regulations, including 52 occasions where Larson failed to maintain accurate and complete records for the use of the drug Buprenorphine, which is a narcotic pain reliever with a high risk for addiction.
The investigation also found Larson did not restrict access to the electronic Controlled Substance Ordering system, and Larson purchased controlled substance for his personal use.
Each violation could have resulted in a $10,000 civil penalty. As part of the settlement, Larson will surrender his DEA Registration and go through another veterinarian to order, maintain and administer controlled substances at the business.
