- Whistleblowers expose White House pharmacy
- Sedatives, stimulants distributed improperly
- Reforms implemented under Biden
Allegations of misconduct in the White House pharmacy, including the provision of controlled substances to staff members without prescriptions, the use of aliases to conceal patient identities, and the provision of free care, have been confirmed by whistleblowers.
Former staff members of the White House Medical Unit (WHMU) and four whistleblowers have stated that the team distributed sedatives and stimulants without proper prescriptions during the administrations of both former Presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama.
Furthermore, it was revealed that the unit provided complimentary medical equipment and imaging to personnel who were not eligible to receive such services, and that it hid patients’ identities in electronic health records using aliases to offer free healthcare.
These claims support a January report by the Department of Defence Inspector General.
According to that report, the WHMU engaged in “severe and systemic” violations of protocol, purchased unnecessary costly brand-name drugs with taxpayer funds, and provided care and medications to ineligible personnel.
Former employees told The Washington Post that the improper practices were established during the Obama administration. At that time, the unit was led by Dr. Ronny Jackson.
After serving as Trump’s personal physician for fourteen years, he later assumed that role.
Dr. Jackson’s Expanding Medical Misconduct
According to them, Dr Jackson’s unauthorised activities intensified during Trump’s administration.
The WHMU was mandated to serve the president, vice president, their families, and military personnel above all else.
Nevertheless, Dr. Jackson expanded the scope of the unit’s medical services and medications. He adopted a “care-by-proxy” philosophy, including a population well beyond the initial directive.
“I eventually took care of the entire West Wing, East Wing, and everyone who supported them,” he wrote in his memoir.
A whistleblower claimed in a separate complaint in 2018 that the doctor, who is now a Republican congressman, was colloquially known as “Dr Feelgood” and “Candyman” due to his alleged disregard for established protocol when dispensing medical care and medications.
In response to these allegations, Dr. Jackson has maintained that White House lawyers authorised his practices. He stated that his team prescribed narcotics “less than five times.”
The January DoD report was thorough, based on 2017–2019 records and prescriptions under Donald Trump. It also included interviews with over 120 officials, including military providers and chemists.
“It was stated, ‘Severe and systemic problems plagued every phase of the pharmacy operations of the White House Medical Unit.'”
Violations in White House Pharmacy Practices
According to the report, a handwritten note dated March 2014, during the Obama administration, provided instructions to distribute medications (including controlled substances) to representatives of patients “without requiring the presentation of the patient’s ID card.”
Due to the risk of dependence and abuse, controlled substances require a prescription, special handling in accordance with Drug Enforcement Administration regulations, and accurate record-keeping by pharmacies.
Additionally, investigators discovered that practitioners at the clinic, which is managed by the Pentagon and the White House Military Office, prescribed medications to individuals who were ineligible for medical care.
According to the report, prescriptions for controlled substances written by medical providers of the White House Medical Unit often lacked the DEA-mandated medical provider and patient information.
The dispensing practices were found to be in violation of the Navy Manual of the Medical Department. This manual states that prescriptions should only be filled for eligible beneficiaries who can provide a valid identification check. Additionally, it is against the guidance to dispense over-the-counter medications, including cold and pain medications, without a prescription.
Controlled substances managed by the White House pharmacy included Provigil. Provigil is a stimulant used to treat excessive drowsiness, and Ambien is a medication prescribed for insomnia.
Open bins were also stocked with over-the-counter medications, which individuals were allowed to consume as they wished.
Medications Prepackaged for Staff Travel
A witness testified to the investigators that prior to international travels, the medical unit would “prepackage medications” for multiple staff members using a combination of medications contained in plastic bags.
According to witness testimony included in the report, the substances commonly used were Ambien, Provigil, or both. Often, they were contained in a zip-lock container with approximately five tablets. This was customary; we would distribute them.
The witness further stated, “Frequently, senior staff members or their staff representatives would pick it up at the residence clinic.”
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I wanted to get something for Ms. X. We were supposed to distribute it.
The report indicates that while the clinic provided “health care by proxy” to 6,000 White House and government employees and contractors, it had approximately sixty patients under its care.
In its final report, the DoD proposed a “oversight plan” directed by senior health experts.
Additionally, Pentagon officials informed the Post about changes. During the administration of President Joe Biden, new personnel and reforms were implemented within the medical unit.
