Robbers are striking more pharmacies as abusing prescription drugs becomes more popular

Pharmacy heists are up amid popularity of Rx drugs

GLENPOOL, Okla. — Pharmacy robberies are on the rise across the country and law enforcement officers and industry officials say it’s partly because of the increasing demand for prescription drugs.

There are no official numbers on how many pharmacies are robbed each year nationwide. But federal drug officials, drug companies, pharmacies, state authorities and local police departments all say they’ve noticed a jump in recent years.

Robbers hold up pharmacies in upscale neighborhoods and those full of blight. The most valuable pills are the heavy painkillers that on the street can go for up to $60 a tablet.

The increase in thefts has some employees locking up powerful narcotics like oxycodone in safes and more pharmacies are installing security cameras.