Trial Delayed for South Lyon Pharmacy & PharmacistTrial Delayed for South Lyon Pharmacy & Pharmacist

1/30/14 - A trial to determine whether or not to uphold the license suspension of a South Lyon pharmacy has been delayed. A trial had been set for this past Monday in Detroit concerning the license suspensions of Specialty Medicine Compounding Pharmacy and its owner, Kenny Walkup Jr. But officials say it’s now been reset for February 26th to allow for a key witness to attend. The identity of the witness was not disclosed. Attorney General Bill Schuette ordered the suspension in October after several of the pharmacy’s products at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit were found to contain fungus. Previous testimony from inspectors for the state and the FDA indicated the pharmacy was not following proper procedures to ensure products were sterile. Walkup is alleged to have been acting as a drug manufacturer by distributing large amounts of medication to various hospitals and clinics even though the pharmacy is currently only licensed to fill individual prescriptions. He had applied for a license to manufacture drugs in October 2012, but that application was denied. Walkup’s attorney previously maintained that regulations allow pharmacists with that type of license to provide the service if it is less than 5% of the pharmacy’s business. A final decision will be made by the Michigan Pharmacy Disciplinary Subcommittee, but will largely be based on the judge’s recommendation. (JK)