2 CVS employees criminally charged, suspended by RIDOH

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Two CVS pharmacy workers face felony charges after allegedly stealing drugs from the stores that they worked at.

Both workers, Sarah Kolb and Lindsey Schneck, have been suspended, according to the Rhode Island Department of Health.

According to RIDOH, From November 2023 to April 2024, Kolb was employed as a technician at the CVS Pharmacy on Warwick Avenue.

In April, RIDOH was notified by CVS that Kolb had been allegedly took the phentermine from her place of employment.

At around the same time, Kolb replied to the Board of Pharmacy investigator and admitted that she diverted phentermine.

In June, Kolb appeared before the Board of Pharmacy Investigative Committee, during which she confirmed that she had initially received a prescription for phentermine through her physician, and had gained access to unprescribed medication from her place of employment.

Kolb said she further diverted the medications strictly for self-administration and not to distribute to anyone else.

The investigation began with the Board of Pharmacy Investigative Committee who unanimously determined that unprofessional conduct had occurred.

“By dispensing drugs to herself, without a valid prescription and in a manner that is professionally inappropriate, Kolb violated the R.I. Controlled Substances Act, the Pharmacy Act, and the Pharmacy Regulation,” cited the RIDOH filing.

As part of the filing, Kolb agreed to a six-month suspension.

She was arrested on charges of larceny of a controlled substance substance, and did post bond.

From June 2023 to February 2024, Schneck was employed as a technician at CVS on Mendon Road in Cumberland.

In February, RIDOH was notified by CVS that she had been diverting benzodiazepines from her employer.

At around the same time, according to RIDOH, Schneck contacted the Board of Pharmacy investigator and admitted that she had taken the benzodiazepines.

Schneck further reported that she had undergone treatment and expressed a willingness to cooperate with the Pharmacy Board to address the diversion of the medications.

She then appeared before the Board of Pharmacy Investigative Committee during which she confirmed that she had initially received a prescription for benzodiazepines through her physician, had gained access to unprescribed medication from her place of employment, that she diverted the medications strictly for self-use and not distribute to third-persons.

She further admitted that she was working with both a court-sponsored program and medical providers to avoid recurrence of use of controlled substances.

The Board of Pharmacy Investigative Committee unanimously determined that unprofessional conduct had occurred, and that discipline was appropriate in this case.

Schneck was charged with two felony counts of larceny of a controlled substance, and a felony charge of embezzlement and fraudulent conversion.

After her arrest, she was freed on $5,000 bail, and the court identified her for a diversion program.