Pharmacist pleads guilty in overdose death

A Montana pharmacist recently pled guilty to federal charges that he illegally distributed Vicodin and other drugs that resulted in the overdose death of a 24-year-old woman, according to the Associated Press.

Ben Willard Hunn, 47, of Great Falls, faces up to 15 years in prison when U.S. District Judge Susan Watters sentences him later this year. The Montana Board of Pharmacy has suspended his license.

According to federal prosecutors, on October 19, 2013, Hunn distributed Vicodin, the prescription muscle relaxant Soma, Ambien, and the anti-anxiety drug Xanax to a woman identified by the initials K.B. The woman died that night as the result of an overdose.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette Stewart said the amount of Vicodin in the woman’s system was “toxic or fatal by itself.”

The woman did not have a prescription, but Hunn said he provided the drugs after much pleading from the woman. “I made a colossally bad judgment,” he reportedly said in court.

An investigation by the pharmacy board found that Hunn double-filled or gave early refills of prescription medication to the victim and to her parents. He also dispensed drugs to them when they did not have prescriptions.

 Hunn also told investigators that he had loaned about $750 to the family and allowed them to run up nearly $2,000 in charges at the pharmacy.

According to the pharmacy board, Hunn cannot reapply for a pharmacy license for at least 10 years.