A Bath man who worked as a pharmacist in Brunswick has served two weeks in jail for stealing drugs including OxyContin.

John W. Underwood, 60, pleaded guilty earlier this month in Cumberland County Superior Court to stealing drugs in connection with a series of thefts of oxycodone and Ambien from Mid Coast Hospital, where he worked as pharmacy manager, in 2011 and 2012. A release Wednesday from Attorney General Janet Mills said Underwood was diverting the drugs for personal use.

Underwood was sentenced to two years in prison with all but 14 days suspended.

In addition to 14 days in jail and an $800 fine, Underwood is barred from any job that would give him access to controlled substances, the release said. His pharmacist license was revoked by the Board of Pharmacy in April, 2012

“We place great trust in healthcare professionals to not only provide appropriate care, but to also assist in eliminating the diversion of these addictive drugs to non-medical uses,” Mills said. “Mr. Underwood breached that trust…I applaud the Healthcare Crimes Unit for their work in uncovering this deception.”

David Hench can be contacted at 791-6327 or at:dhench@pressherald.com


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