GDNA Director
C. Richard (Rick) Allen, R.Ph.
He was appointed GDNA Director as of April 1, 2010.
He is a graduate of the University Of Georgia College Of Pharmacy. He is a licensed pharmacist in Georgia and has been presented with honorary pharmacist licenses from numerous other states.
Prior to being appointed GDNA Director, he served as the agency’s Deputy Director beginning in 1992 and has been with the agency since 1976. Prior to his joining the agency, he worked as a pharmacist for the Veteran’s Administration, the Medical College of Georgia, and in different retail pharmacy settings.
During his years with the agency, he has worked throughout the State of Georgia as well as other states investigating drug diversion and pharmacy law and rule violations as well as providing assistance to local, state and federal law enforcement and regulatory agencies throughout this country and overseas.
In the 1980s he was assigned to the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s undercover investigation of diverted and black market pharmaceuticals, code named ‘Operation Pharmoney’. The findings of this investigation resulted in his being asked to testify before Congress on numerous occasions – testimony that helped provide the information necessary to pass the Prescription Drug Monitoring Act of 1987 (PDMA).
In 1996 he worked with the Dignitary Protection Group for the Atlanta Olympic Games and served as the personal security agent for Princes Cristina of Spain during her time in Atlanta attending the Games.
In 1997, he was elected as the President of the International Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association (INEOA), after having served the association’s vice president as well as on its Board of Directors beginning in 1987.
He has been presented with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy Distinguished Service Award, the Mercer University Southern College of Pharmacy Carlton Henderson Distinguished Service in Pharmacy Award, the INEOA Distinguished Service Award, and the University Of Georgia College Of Pharmacy Distinguished Alumnus Award.