The Kansas Attorney General announced charges today against Hogan's Pharmacy pharmacist Rick Kloxin for his part in an Internet pharmacy scheme.

Hogan's Pharmacy in Lyons, was shut down in March following reports of illegal and unethical behavior stemming from an Internet pharmacy scheme.

"Kansas pharmacies play an important role in protecting the health and well-being of Kansans," Attorney General Steven Six said. "Most pharmacists take this responsibility seriously. It is absolutely critical that all pharmacists perform their duties ethically with the best interests of their patients in mind."

After an investigation, Kloxin was charged with one count Computer Crime, one count Conspiracy to Commit Computer Crime, one count Commercial Bribery, seven counts of violations of the Pharmacy Act of Kansas and seven counts of violations of the Kansas Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

The state alleges that Hogan's Pharmacist in charge, Rick Kloxin, distributed prescription-only drugs to people throughout the United States based upon questionnaires customers completed via the Internet. The complaint alleges that Hogan's pharmacist violated Kansas law by shipping the drugs without valid prescriptions, by not offering counseling to people who purchased the drugs, and that Kloxin accepted compensation for violating a duty owed to people the drugs were shipped to.

Kloxin had his first appearance in court today. These are only allegations and Rick Kloxin is presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law.