RECALLED DRUGS
There are three classes of recalls:
- Class1(CI): productsthatcouldcauseseriousharmorprovefatal
- Class2(CII): productsfoundtocauseatemporaryhealthproblem
orposeaslightthreatofseriousharm
- Class3(CIII): productsthatmayhaveaminordefectorother
conditionthatwouldnotharmthepatient
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
Commonly known as narcotics, controlled substances are addictive.
They are derived from opium or opium-like substances. Opium comes
fromthepoppyseedplantandhas<strong>analgesic</strong>effectsthatalsoaffect
moodandbehavior.
- Some examples of substances created from opium
are codeine and morphine
Each type of narcotic is assigned a rating that depends on its
addictive and abuse potential.
RATINGS OF SCHEDULED (CONTROLLED) SUBSTANCES
There are five levels based on potential for abuse:
- CI− Strongestpotentialforabuse;nomedicinaluseintheUSA.
* Examples: Marijuana, LSD, Heroine, Peyote, Methamphetamine - CII− Mustbelockedupbecauseofhighpotentialforabuse.
* Examples: Cocaine, Ritalin, several amphetamines, dilaudid - CIII− Hasabusepotential,butnotlikescheduleII.
* Examples: Combinations of hydrocodone and codeine products - CIV− Lowpotentialforabuse.
* Examples: Valium (diazepam), halcion (triazolam) - CV− Hasthelowestabusepotential.Consistsofpreparationwith
verylimitedamountsofcontrolledsubstanceineachdose.Itiskept
OTCinsomestatesbecauseoflowpotentialabuse.
* Examples: Lamotil and some cough syrups containing codeine
The U.S. Attorney assigns the schedule for a drug. Individual states
cannot establish the schedule under which a drug should be placed.
TAMPER-PROOF PRESCRIPTIONS
New scripts have up to eight different tamper-proof
security marks on them.
- Prevents forgery and fraud
- REMS: Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy
- No special prescribing requirement exists for Heroin
The DEA has three main registration forms:
- Form224: Dispensingcontrolledsubstances
- Form225: Manufacturingordistributingcontrolledsubstances
- Form 363: To run a narcotic treatment program or compound narcotics
- Form222: UsedforthepurchasingandreturningofoutdatedCIIdrugs
- Form41: Returntoreversedistributordamaged,outdatedor
unwantedcontrolledsubstances
REFILLING CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
Strict guidelines include:
- DrugsratedCIIIthroughCVcanberefilledamaximumoffivetimes
orwithin6monthsoftheoriginalorder,whichevercomesfirst
- Records must be kept with the pharmacist’s initials and
the date the drug was dispensed
- PharmaciesmustphysicallycontscheduleIIdrugseverytwoyears
ORDERING CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
The Controlled Substance Act requires pharmacies to purchase
class-II controlled substances with DEA form 222. The pharmacy
obtains CII substances from a distributor and only one item may
be ordered per line when using DEA form 222.
- Copy 1 and 2 are sent to the supplier
* Copy 1: (original, brown) Retained by the supplier
* Copy 2: (first carbon copy, green) Forwarded to the DEA - Copy 3: (second carbon copy, blue) Stays with the pharmacist (purchaser)
DEA Form 222 must be filled out with pen, typewriter, or an indelible
pencil and can be signed by the pharmacist who signed Form 224 or
the person who has been the legally designated Power of Attorney by
that pharmacist. Drugs must be checked in and an invoice stapled to
the completed DEA-222. Filing electronically is only possible for CV - CIII.
- Pharmacy retains bottom copy
Invoicesandformsmustbekeptonsiteandmadereadilyavailable
forinspectionfor2years.Itisrecommendedthatrecordsof
invoicesandformsarekeptfor5years.
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE INVENTORY
Perpetual inventory. The pharmacist must validate all counts done by a
technician. Discrepancies are investigated by the DEA. Controlled
substanceinventorymustbeperformedevery2years.
REVERSE DISTRIBUTOR
All controlled substances that are unwanted, unusable, or outdated
that are returned to the distributor. Itprevents<strong>drugdiversion,</strong>orthe
intentionalmisuseofadrugintendedformedicalpurposesor
recreationaluseofaprescriptionorascheduleddrug.
FILLING, REFILLING, AND TRANSFERRING PRESCRIPTIONS FOR CONTROLLED DRUGS
Original fill of CII through CV:
Emergency CII original fill:
- Verbal order only in emergency situations
RefillsofCIIthroughCV:
- CII−Norefills
- CIIIandCIV−5timeswithin6months
- CV−Norestrictions
PARTIAL FILLINGS OF CII THROUGH CV
CIII, CIV, and CV must have the remainder dispensed within 6 months.
CII must have remainder dispensed within 72 hours.
TransferofprescriptionsCIIthroughCVmaybetransferredonly
once. Writevoidoninvalidprescriptiontoinformthatprescriptions
havebeentransferred.
Some states require Schedule V drugs to be dispensed by a pharmacist.
Controlled substances CII through CV may be mailed as long as the
contents are not identified on the packaging.
MONOGRAPHS/PACKAGE INSERTS
Contained in the Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR) in the doctor’s
office and Facts and Comparisons in the pharmacy.
Includes: Description,clinicalpharmacology,indicationsandusage,
contraindications,warnings,precautions,drugabuseanddependence,
adversereactions,dosage,andhowitssupplied.BoxWarningis
alsocalled<strong>BlackBoxWarning.</strong>
MedGuides: Printouts required for certain medications.
PREGNANCY CATEGORIES
FDA established five categories to identify a drug’s potential harm
to a fetus or pregnant woman.
- CategoryX− Nottobeusedduringpregnancy.
Canproducethehighestdegreeof<strong>teratogenicity.</strong>
- CategoryA− Noevidenceofharmbasedonstudies.
- CategoryB−D− Variouslevelsofrisk.
PRESCRIPTION REGULATIONS
Who can prescribe? The FDA and DEA have no
authority to determine prescribers.
- Prescribersarelicensedbytheirindividualstateboard
- Standard practitioners in all 50 states are physicians,
surgeons, doctors of osteopathy, dentists, podiatrists,
veterinarians, and optometrists
WHO CAN RECEIVE A PRESCRIPTION?
Pharmacy technicians take in prescriptions, interpret them and
fill them. Technicians<strong>cannot</strong>takephoneorders. Pharmacists give
the final check and take verbal telephone orders and transfer
prescriptions to another pharmacy.
PRESCRIPTION LABELS
The information on a prescription label differs from a prescription
order. Two necessary components are pharmacy information
and patient information.
- Special labeling sometimes is required because of adverse
effects or the possibility of teratogenicity to an unborn fetus.
- LabelsInclude: Name,address,andphonenumberofthe
pharmacy,nameofprescriberanddateprescriptionwasfilled;
prescriptionnumberandprecautions.
License or DEA number of the prescriber is only required for a CII drug.
REPACKAGING
Medication taken from bulk packages and placed into blister
packs or unit-dosing devices must include:
- Drugname
- Strengthanddosageform
- Manufacturingandlotnumber
- Expirationdate
DEA VERIFICATION
All prescribers must be registered with the DEA to write prescriptions
for controlled substances. Prescribers are given a nine-character
identification code, which is different for each prescriber.
- The first two characters will be the letter A, B, F, or M, followed by
the first letter of the prescriber’s last name.
* If the first character begins with the identifier P or R, they are typically
from a manufacturer, distributor, researcher, analytical lab, importer,
exporter, reverse distributor, or a narcotic treatment program.
- The next seven digits are composed of numbers added together.
All prescription orders for controlled substances must be verified for authenticity
by the pharmacist. Confirmation of a prescriber’s DEA number may aid in verifying
the authenticity of a controlled substance prescription order.
Verifying a DEA Number:
- Addthe1st,3rd,and5thdigitstogether.(SUM1)
- Addthe2nd,4th,and6thdigitstogether,thenmultiplybytwo.(SUM2)
- AddSUM1andSUM2together.(SUM3)
- ThelastdigitofSUM3shouldmatchthe7thdigitofthegivenDEAnumber.
Example Number: AP5836727
- 5 + 3 + 7 = 15
- 8 + 6 + 2 = 16 x 2 = 32
- 15 + 32 = 47
- AP583672**__7__** = 4**__7__** ✓
SPECIAL PRESCRIBING PROGRAMS
Programs for opioid maintenance:
- Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT)
- Suboxone and Subtex
Risk management programs for prescription drugs:
- iPledgeProgram
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA)
MSDS isaU.S.government−managedentitythatoverseessafetyin
theworkplace.SafetyDataSheetsmustbeavailableforallchemicals.
- Includes information on storage requirements, handling, and what
to do in case of a spill or contact with the eyes.
THE JOINT COMMISSION
Their mission is to improve the safety and quality of care via the
accreditation of healthcare organizations. Areas of concern:
- How look-alike and sound-alike drugs are identified
- How communication, allergy notification, conflicting prescriptions.
verbal orders, and other areas that may create an avenue for errors handled
LEGAL STANDARDS
StateLaw:differsbystate
Liabilities include: negligence or tort
- Mistakes are made for many reasons
- Consider purchasing malpractice insurance
- Laws change regularly
FLASHCARDS HERE