The Safest Pharmacy Is the One That Talks About ItThe Safest Pharmacy Is the One That Talks About It
Drug Diversion Insights with Terri Vidals
A pharmacist in recovery and a pharmacy leader share how a structured, supportive approach appears to make returning to work after substance use disorder safer. The conversation seems to focus on practical safeguards, culture change and the role of recovery networks in protecting both patients and professionals.
47:14•14 Aug 2026
The Safest Pharmacy Talks About Addiction, Recovery and Second Chances
Episode Overview
- A pharmacist in recovery can work safely with clear boundaries, such as avoiding counting, ordering or checking controlled substances.
- Shame and fear of the board can stop professionals seeking help; alternative-to-discipline programmes like TPRN can provide monitored support instead.
- Strong return-to-work plans may include time away from practice, limited hours, no floating between stores, and no pharmacist-in-charge roles for several years.
- Honest workplace cultures that welcome difficult conversations and protect staff with robust systems are crucial for preventing and detecting diversion.
- Early warning signs such as frequent bathroom trips, sudden behaviour changes or gut instincts from colleagues should be taken seriously and addressed with care.
“You can take the drug away from the person, but they still have all the issues.”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This conversation between pharmacist-in-recovery Kim Roberts, pharmacy leader Robbie Monahan, and host Terri Vidals gives a rare, honest look at what it takes to come back to work safely after substance use disorder in a pharmacy setting.
Kim shares how her addiction began not with partying, but with a bottle of hycodan cough syrup during a stressful Christmas with five young children and mounting pressure to look like she “had it all together”. Her line, “It’s not about how much you use, it’s about the impact it has on your life,” will hit home for anyone who’s questioned whether their use “really counts”.
She talks through treatment, shame, and why her recovery has become “a gift that changed my life for the good.” Robbie offers the leadership angle, describing how a pharmacy can protect patients, staff, and the recovering professional at the same time. From simple rules like Kim never counting or checking controlled substances, to key-and-alarm safeguards and functioning cameras, he explains how accountability can be framed as protection, not suspicion.
As he tells staff, controls are there “so we never even have to wonder,” which is as much about defending them as it is about guarding inventory. The episode also highlights the Tennessee Pharmacy Recovery Network (TPRN) and how alternative-to-discipline contracts, random drug screens, support groups and clear boundaries (like no pharmacist-in-charge roles early on, no floating between stores, and limited hours) can make return-to-work a realistic option.
Kim stresses that someone who openly says “I’m in recovery” may actually be a safer bet than someone hiding a problem. If you work in healthcare, are in recovery, or lead a team around controlled substances, this conversation might leave you asking: could your pharmacy be “the safest pharmacy” because it actually talks about it?
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