Indiana Reports More Pharmacy Robberies Than Any Other State

Indiana pharmacies experienced 367 robberies from 2013 through May 2016, which is more than any other state, according to recent statistics. California, which has a population almost six times larger than Indiana, came in second with 310 robberies during the same time period, reports an Indy Star article. Many pharmacies in Indiana have increased security by adding armed guards and time release safes to protect certain medications, such as opioids. However, with the efforts to increase security in Indiana pharmacies, thieves are also targeting pharmacies in other states, notes the article.

Indiana Board of Pharmacy President Donna Wall provided insight on pharmacy robberies in Indiana during the Governor’s Task Force on Drug Enforcement, Treatment, and Prevention on July 26, 2016. Experts in Indiana from a variety of fields gather for the task force meetings, which will meet monthly for the next three months, to evaluate the growing national drug problem as it impacts Indiana.

Further, NABP explored the increased need for enhanced pharmacy security during the Task Force to Examine Strategies for Preventing and Reacting to Pharmacy Robberies and Thefts at NABP Headquarters on October 22-23, 2014. As a result, NABP amended its Model State Pharmacy Act and Model Rules of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (Model Act) in 2015 to include a new security section that focuses on technological features to emphasize the need for video surveillance and monitored alarm systems to help deter criminal activity. The new Model Act security section encompasses information about facility security measures to ward against robberies/burglaries and also internal security measures that protect drug inventory from employee theft and diversion. The Model Act and the Task Force Report are available on NABP’s website.