Hopewell Health Centers

For many healthcare organizations, hesitation around controlled substances is not unfounded. While these medications provide essential benefits to patients, they also introduce risks related to diversion, misuse, and regulatory scrutiny.

At Hopewell Health Centers, those risks initially outweighed the perceived benefits. However, Keith saw an opportunity to better serve patients by evolving into a full-service community pharmacy. As he explained, “When I convinced them to open a second location, I really wanted to be a full-fledged community pharmacy, which ultimately means there’s going to be controlled substances for those patients.”

Moving in that direction required more than just operational changes. It required a system that could bring clarity, structure, and confidence to DEA regulatory compliance while fitting seamlessly into existing workflows.  

Keith’s past experience with paper logbooks made it clear that traditional methods would not support the level of efficiency or accuracy needed for growth. Manual documentation created unnecessary friction, especially during audits. 

Reflecting on those challenges, he shared, “I came from previous retail and hospital experiences where everything was paper logs, and I knew I didn’t want to have this great big old binder that was going to fall apart every time I did an audit.” 

At the same time, his responsibilities extended far beyond a single pharmacy. In addition to overseeing the primary location, Keith manages 31 health center dispensaries across the organization. With a second pharmacy on the way, visibility across multiple sites became a critical requirement. 

That is why a cloud-based solution stood out immediately. As Keith put it, “Being on the cloud or web-based… was key to me, where I’m trying to manage multiple locations, I never know where I’m going to be.” 

He needed a system that could centralize operations, reduce manual work, and strengthen DEA regulatory compliance without adding complexity.

While preparing for the launch of the second pharmacy, Keith discovered C2 Keep and quickly recognized its potential. After a demo with founder and pharmacist Roland Achenjang, he saw firsthand how the platform could simplify tracking, auditing, and reporting.

One of the biggest advantages was consolidation. Instead of juggling multiple logs and systems, everything lived in one place. As Keith described, “Having everything in one location instead of having multiple different paper logs and binders… was a big selling point.”

Combined with automated auditing capabilities, C2 Keep offered a streamlined path to achieving DEA regulatory compliance while reducing the administrative burden on his team.

The implementation was equally smooth. Both pharmacy locations were onboarded less than a week after creating their accounts, allowing operations to continue without disruption while immediately improving compliance processes.

The impact of C2 Keep extended well beyond leadership. The staff pharmacists quickly adapted to the system and began experiencing the benefits in their day-to-day responsibilities.

With order data and dispensing information automatically populating, the need for manual entry was significantly reduced. This not only saved time but also improved accuracy across the board. Features like back counting provided an additional layer of confidence, allowing pharmacists to verify inventory quickly and efficiently.

Keith noted the positive response from his team, saying, “I know the pharmacists love having the ability to check stocks immediately on demand.”

By centralizing information and simplifying routine tasks, C2 Keep made it easier for the entire team to maintain consistent DEA regulatory compliance without slowing down operations.

For Keith, flexibility is essential. Managing multiple locations means constantly moving between sites, making remote access a necessity rather than a convenience.

C2 Keep’s cloud-based platform allows him to monitor activity, review records, and stay connected no matter where he is. As he reiterated, “I’m trying to manage multiple locations, I never know where I’m going to be.”

In addition to accessibility, the platform provides role-based controls that allow Keith to manage permissions across his team. This ensures that the right people have access to the right information while maintaining strong internal controls.

The result is greater transparency, improved accountability, and increased confidence in maintaining DEA regulatory compliance at every level of the organization.

One of the most significant improvements has been in the audit process. Regulatory requirements, such as those outlined in Ohio Administrative Code 4729:6-2-01(C), demand accurate and timely inventory tracking, particularly during changes in responsible personnel.

When Keith recently needed to conduct an audit following a staffing change, C2 Keep allowed him to complete the process far more efficiently than traditional methods ever could.

Describing the experience, he said, “I had it done in no time flat because C2 Keep was right there. I just went down the list. I told it what I wanted to do and it really made that part of the experience so much better.”

What once took hours was reduced to less than an hour, demonstrating how the platform streamlines audits while reinforcing strong DEA regulatory compliance practices.

Another differentiator for C2 Keep is its level of support. Unlike many other pharmacy providers, the team behind C2 Keep brings real-world pharmacy experience to the table.

For Keith, having direct access to someone who understands the complexities of controlled substance management has been invaluable. As he shared, “Having access to the creator is awesome. He’s really dedicated to this and wants to see it succeed, which means he also wants to see our pharmacy succeed.”

This hands-on, knowledgeable support ensures that questions are addressed quickly and that the system continues to align with the evolving needs of the organization.