Licht, a Hanover resident, is accused of diversion of prescription medications the use of prescription drugs for recreational purposes from Dick's House on more than 50 occasions, according to the Board of Pharmacy's six-page order. Licht had been personally prescribed 9,761 pills of hydrocodone and acetaminophen in the past two years an average of 20 tablets per day, the order alleged. Hydrocodone and acetaminophen are components of the pain-relief drug sold as Vicodin.
Licht has denied the allegations, describing the board's investigation as a "witch hunt" in interviews with the Valley News and the Union Leader.
"I dispute everything and anything," Licht said in an interview with the Valley News. "There will be other people implicated not me. It will be very interesting [at the hearing]."
Licht appeared before the Board of Pharmacy on Wednesday to defend himself against the board's allegations of misconduct. In an interview with the Union Leader, he said he had not hired an attorney and would represent himself at the hearing.
The hearing's findings were unavailable by press time.
In March, CVS Pharmacy in Hanover notified the Hanover Police Department of irregularities in the quantity of medication prescribed to Licht, according to Hanover Police Chief Nicholas Giaccone. After CVS contacted authorities, Hanover Police contacted the New Hampshire Board of Pharmacy about the excessive prescriptions, resulting in an independent investigation that led to Licht's suspension. Hanover Police was not involved in Licht's suspension.
After the board publishes the outcome of Licht's hearing, Hanover Police could take further action, according to Giaccone.
"What was learned from the hearing will determine the direction of what we do from here," he said.
Licht has worked for Dick's House as a staff pharmacist for five years and has held a New Hampshire pharmacy license since 2003.
Last month, the Board of Pharmacy notified College authorities of its inquiry into Licht's activities, according to Director of Media Relations for the College Justin Anderson.
The College does not have evidence that Licht diverted prescriptions during his tenure as a staff pharmacist at Dick's House, Anderson said. In response to the allegations released on Friday, College officials have placed Licht on administrative leave.
"We're cooperating fully with the investigation, and we look forward to its conclusion," Anderson said. "Any behavior that threatens the Dartmouth community is not acceptable and will not be tolerated."
The emergency order suspending Licht's license was the board's first in three years, board Director James Queenan said in an interview with the Valley News. The board maintains the right to revoke a pharmacist's license under New Hampshire constitutional statutes, he said.
The responsibilities of the Board of Pharmacy include pharmacist licensing and regulation of prescription medication, according to its website. The board is composed of seven members who serve five-year terms. Board members are appointed by the governor and must be approved by the state's Executive Council.
Licht and members of the Board of Pharmacy were not available for comment by press time.
