INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA (BNO NEWS) – CVS Pharmacy Stores have reached a $1.95 million settlement with the State of Indiana regarding a complaint issued against two pharmacists with expired licenses, Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced on Tuesday.

An investigation conducted by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) revealed that CVS employed Morris “Mo” Skirvin at a store in Nashville, Indiana, and Edward Certain at a store in Marion, Ind., both individuals with expired pharmacist licenses.

In the curse of the investigation, the MFCU found that Skirvin’s license expired in 1990 and Certain’s in 2002. Between 1997 and 2007, the two unlicensed pharmacists issued approximately 60,778 prescriptions.

“When consumers get prescriptions filled, they do so trusting that the person behind the pharmacy counter dispensing medication is up to date on their licensing. That trust was violated by these two individuals,” Mr. Zoeller said.

In the settlement, CVS agreed to put into action some consumer protections. They will work alongside the Indiana Professional Licensing Board to verify that all employees are properly licensed. They will also make extensive research before hiring pharmacists.

Attorney Zoeller added that the $1.95 million that CVS will pay within 60 days will be used to pay for the investigation costs and for reimbursing the Indiana Medicaid Program.