Best Practices
PREVENTION
Pharmacies have a critical role to play in fighting the nation's prescription drug abuse problem. As the "last line of defense" in preventing drug abuse and diversion, pharmacists must fulfill their professional obligations and exercise their "corresponding responsibility" when dispensing controlled substances.
| TOP 12 BEST PRACTICES FOR PREVENTING DRUG ABUSE1 |
|---|
| 1. Know your state requirements for dispensing controlled substances. Visit Bula Law and search the current law module, filtering for your jurisdiction. |
| 2. Know the popular drugs of abuse for your area. |
| 3. Know the local prescribing practices. |
| 4. Know your local prescribers and his/her signatures. |
| 5. Know your patients. Familiarity may help you to distinguish abuse. |
| 6. Use your state prescription drug monitoring program, if applicable. Pay attention to enforcement actions. |
| 7. Require a government-issued photo identification prior to dispensing controlled substances. |
| 8. Communicate with prescribers. |
| 9. Educate patients about proper use, storage, and disposal of controlled substances during consultations. |
| 10. Call the number listed in the pharmacy's system rather than the phone number on the prescription. |
| 11. Communicate with other pharmacies if you receive a prescription that was denied by them or if you deny a prescription. |
| 12. Communicate with law enforcement and regulatory agencies (State Board of Pharmacy, State Medical Board,local DEA office, and local sheriff's office or police department). |
FOR MORE INFORMATION
- Learn about FEDERAL REGULATIONS concerning controlled substances.
- Get information about PRESCRIPTION DRUG MONITORING PROGRAMS in your state.
1. DEA Office of Diversion Control. A Pharmacist's Guide to Prescription Fraud. Accessed September 19, 2019.
2. The Pharmacist's Role in Preventing Drug Abuse August 5, 2013.
