A Tampa pharmacist has been convicted of operating an illegal oxycodone distribution operation that sold over 330,000 pills in cash transactions to customers with no legitimate medical need. Olushola Yusuf, 60, owned pharmacies in Pembroke Pines and Margate where she charged customers ten times the normal price for oxycodone 30mg, the maximum available strength of this powerful painkiller. Some customers paid as much as $1,000 per month and traveled across the state to her locked pharmacies because they couldn’t obtain the drug through legal channels anywhere else.
The case reveals how the opioid crisis operates at multiple levels. Yusuf wasn’t a street dealer—she was a trusted healthcare professional with a pharmacy license. She maintained strict control of her operations, keeping pharmacy doors locked during business hours and only allowing entry to pre-identified customers. Federal prosecutors noted that oxycodone 30mg is typically reserved for cancer patients or people recovering from severe traumatic injuries, making the scale of her illegal distribution particularly alarming.
The conviction carries serious consequences. Yusuf was found guilty on conspiracy and five counts of illegal drug distribution, with sentencing scheduled for October 14, 2026. She faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for each count. This case serves as a stark reminder that pharmacy oversight exists for a reason, and when those systems fail, the impact on communities can be devastating. What’s your take—should there be stricter requirements for pharmacy audits and oversight in Florida?
