By Tad Sooter
Kitsap Sun
BREMERTON, Wash. — Kitsap emergency medical services agencies took quick action to ensure a steady supply of medications this month, after learning Harrison Medical Center could no longer supply them.
Fire districts and ambulance companies had for decades relied on Harrison’s pharmacy to purchase federally scheduled drugs, including opioid-based painkillers. That practice, though relatively widespread, violated state and federal laws prohibiting pharmacies from selling drugs to other providers without a wholesaler license.
The inconsistency was noted by state hospital inspectors during a routine review of Harrison’s operations this spring. A number of other Washington hospitals also were found to be supplying EMS agencies, said Michael Lopez, EMS Trauma Section director for the state Department of Health.
Lopez notified Kitsap EMS providers in early April that Harrison would no longer be able to supply medications. After some discussion, the agencies were allowed to continue buying from Harrison through Tuesday while making arrangements with pharmaceutical wholesalers.
Kim Droppert, chairwoman of the Kitsap County EMS Council, said Kitsap’s medical director quickly revised policies to allow the agencies to buy scheduled drugs directly from wholesalers. All Kitsap EMS agencies now are set up to purchase from other pharmaceutical suppliers, and each has taken steps to ensure they can securely store, handle and track the drugs, Droppert said.
“Everyone stepped into place and it’s taken care of,” she said.
Still, Droppert said the elimination of Harrison as a medication supplier is unfortunate for several reasons. EMS agencies were able to buy drugs in small quantities from Harrison and exchange medications as they expired. Droppert said agencies will have to buy larger quantities when they purchase from wholesalers, leading to more waste and increased security concerns.
North Kitsap Fire and Rescue Chief Dan Smith said his department spent roughly $2,000 to purchase a safe and put other systems in place to secure the scheduled drugs. He said the department will also pay more for drugs purchased directly from a wholesaler. Harrison’s pharmacy was able to buy medications in huge quantities, which kept prices low for EMS agencies.
Smith said losing Harrison as a supplier was an unwelcome surprise.
“It was kind of shock to us,” he said. “It’s a practice we’d been doing for 30 years.”