Monroe Pharmacy Fined For Selling Unauthorized At-Home COVID Tests

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — A pharmacy in Monroe Township was fined for selling COVID-19 test kits that were not authorized for at-home use, Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said. The Division of Consumer Affairs imposed penalties against Sayreville Pharmacy in Monroe and three others for alleged consumer protection violations in the sale of COVID-19 tests.

Sayreville Pharmacy has been asked to pay a fine of $5,000.

“COVID testing, in addition to vaccination, has been essential to New Jersey’s recent return to normalcy,” Platkin said. “While New Jersey residents have joined together in fighting COVID-19, unfortunately there are still some businesses seeking to profit unlawfully from the pandemic. Two years after the pandemic arrived in New Jersey, we still have zero tolerance for such conduct.”

The Notices of Violation (NOVs) are the latest round of enforcement actions taken to protect consumers from those seeking to profit from the pandemic.

The other three pharmacies are Valley Pharmacy in Succasunna (Morris County), Iselin Pharmacy in the Iselin section of Woodbridge and Wellcare Pharmacy in Union City.

Valley Pharmacy and Iselin Pharmacy are also accused by the Division of Consumer Affairs of selling COVID-19 test kits to the general public that were not authorized for at-home use.

The Union City pharmacy was given a different penalty: The state said it sold COVID antigen test kits without the price clearly marked. This could border on price gouging, said the state.

“The Division is committed to enforcing the laws in place to protect consumers from unprincipled merchants,” Acting Director Sean P. Neafsey said. “We will continue to review and investigate complaints to keep the marketplace fair and honest.”

To date, the Division of Consumer Affairs has sent 1,961 cease-and-desist letters to retailers suspected of price gouging and other unconscionable business practices during the coronavirus pandemic.

The state has also issued 100 subpoenas seeking additional information in its investigations of alleged violations of the Consumer Fraud Act during the pandemic. This past January, the Division sent more than 50 warning letters to NJ businesses that sold COVID-19 test kits. All 50 of those businesses had been reported by the public as price gouging.

Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file an online complaint with the Division online or by calling 1-800-242-5846 to receive a complaint form by mail.

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