Yakima Pharmacist Suspended for Being Drunk, High at Work

Fortunately, no clients had their prescriptions mixed up or wrongly prepared!

The Washington State Health Department Thursday immediately revoked the license of a Yakima area pharmacist, who was found to be highly intoxicated at work, and believed to be under the influence of morphine.

Rachel L. Loukas was working at the Yakima Safeway Pharmacy on September 12th. when two other technicians noticed Loukas was falling asleep while checking prescriptions.  When they tried to wake her, she reportedly told them "I'm done", and instructed the other workers to call the pharmacy manager.  She then grabbed a bottle of morphine, and took five pills.

She was taken to Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital where she was found to be "severely impaired" according to the state report.

Loukas is facing a hearing with the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission, and cannot practice again until the charges are resolved.