Damaged Narcotics Bag Triggers State Review

A hole discovered in a bag of medication used by Valley paramedics has triggered a review by the Department of Consumer Protection’s drug control division.

Robert Pettinella, executive director of the Valley Emergency Medical Service, Inc., said a paramedic, as part of the daily check of narcotic supplies, recently discovered that a bag containing drugs was damaged.

Officials do not know how the bag was damaged, but no drugs were missing, Pettinella said.

“The narcotics are in the field. It’s not like they’re in a controlled setting, like a hospital. We’re in an uncontrolled environment in the field, so it’s possible to drop them. They can get roughed up a little bit,” Pettinella said. “Because (the narcotics) are under such strict control, anything that is not opened appropriately must be reported,” he said.

VEMS notified Griffin Hospital, who assert medical control authorization over VEMS.

Griffin Hospital notified the Department of Consumer Protection, Pettinella said.

A Griffin Hospital official confirmed Thursday that a review is underway.

“I cannot comment on any details other than to acknowledge that there is a review underway by the drug control division of the Department of Consumer Protection related to medications used by pre-hospital care providers that the hospital is fully cooperating with,” Griffin Hospital Vice President William C. Powanda said in a prepared statement.

Claudette Corvath, a spokesperson for the Department of Consumer Protection, said she could neither confirm nor deny the review — and that she was not allowed to contact agents working in the field Thursday for further information.

VEMS paramedics receive training that enable them to deliver drugs — ranging from insulin to morphine — to patients if necessary.

Pettinella said the bag in question contained a variety of medicine.