Former NYC hospital executive charged with $5.6 million painkiller theft

A former pharmacy executive at a major New York City hospital was arrested on Tuesday and charged with stealing $5.6 million worth of narcotic painkillers from the medical center, authorities said. Anthony D'Alessandro, 47, former director of pharmacy services at Beth Israel Medical Center, was charged with stealing nearly 200,000 oxycodone pills from the hospital over five years, New York City Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan said in a statement. "One rogue pharmacist was responsible for the diversion of nearly 200,000 addictive pills. This case underscores the vigilance required when addictive medication with a high resale value is readily available," Brennan said in the statement.