By Lance O. Leider, J.D., The Health Law Firm
At its meeting held in Orlando, Florida, on February 12, 2014, the Florida Board of Pharmacy approved final changes to Rule 64B16-28.303, Florida Administrative Code. This rule governs the destruction of controlled substances by Class II Institutional Pharmacies.
The focus of the new rule changes is to ensure that either the prescription department manager (PDM) or the consultant pharmacist of record signs off on all destruction of controlled substances. Further, the rule requires that a copy of the destruction documents be mailed to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) within one business day of destruction.
According to the Board’s statement, the purpose of the rule change is to make it “easier to properly dispose of [controlled] substances while ensuring that one of the persons signing for the destruction always is either the prescription department manager or the consultant pharmacist of record, and that a copy of the destruction is timely sent to the DEA.”
Who the Rule Applies To.
Although this rule applies to all permittees, pharmacists in Class II institutional pharmacies need to be aware that the Board’s clarifications were specifically aimed at those facilities. In case you are not sure whether you work in a Class II pharmacy, those facilities are defined as pharmacies which “employ the services of a registered pharmacist or pharmacists who, in practicing institutional pharmacy, [] provide dispensing and consulting services on the premises to patients of that institution, for use on the premises of that institution.” Section 465.019(b), Florida Statutes.
More Details of the Rule.
The new rule also states that destruction shall be conducted by at least two people. One will be the PDM or the consulting pharmacist of record and the other has to be one of the following: the medical director of the facility or his/her physician designee; the director of nursing or his/her licensed nurse designee, or a sworn law enforcement officer.
Finally, the rule retains the ability of the pharmacy to destroy the drugs by way of sending them to a reverse distributor in lieu of on-site destruction.
Check our blog regularly for updates on this and other recently adopted rules and changes.
Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced in Representing Pharmacies and Pharmacists.
The Health Law Firm represents pharmacists and pharmacies in DEA investigations, regulatory matters, licensing issues, litigation, administrative hearings, inspections and audits. The firm’s attorneys include those who are board certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law as well as licensed health professionals who are also attorneys.
To contact The Health Law Firm please call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.
Comments?
What do you think of this rule change? Will the change affect your job or business? Please leave any thoughtful comments below.
About the Author: Lance O. Leider is an attorney with The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, Florida 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.
“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of George F. Indest III, P.A. – The Health Law Firm, a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.
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