OLYMPIA, Wash. – A pharmacy technician from Franklin County had her technician license suspended by the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission after admitting to diverting controlled substances, according to the Washington State Department of Health.
DOH says Elizabeth Marie Quintero was charged with theft in Pasco Municipal Court after allegedly diverting 1,000 tablets of hydrocodone and oxycodone for auto accident injuries.
According to a Statement of Charges document from DOH, a Pasco Police Department officer contacted the pharmacy Quintero was working at on Nov. 21, 2022 after a report saying she was diverting and selling medication.
An internal investigation started the same day. Later on Dec. 27, 2022, Quintero was caught allegedly hiding extra medication in her sleeve while filling a prescription.
DOH says she admitted to the pharmacy’s Asset Protection Manager that she had diverted 1,000 pills of hydrocodone and oxycodone to treat pain from auto accident injuries. She was immediately terminated from the pharmacy.
Quintero cannot practice in Washington until charges are resolved and has 20 days to respond to charges and request a hearing.
