ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association welcomed the Drug Enforcement Administration’s publication of its final regulation on disposal of controlled substances, but the trade group noted that the rule calls for further examination.
NCPA said Tuesday that the DEA’s release of the final rule on return programs for controlled substances was "a long time coming," and the association is still assessing its implications for independent community pharmacies.
The regulation implements the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010 by expanding the options available to collect controlled substances for disposal, including take-back events, mail-back programs and collection receptacle locations.
"An initial reading reveals that some of the long-term care facility issues we had raised about the proposed rule were addressed. In addition, it’s important to note the program is completely voluntary for both retail and LTC pharmacies, as NCPA requested and the law required," NCPA chief executive officer B. Douglas Hoey said in a statement.
With the rule, authorized manufacturers, distributors, reverse distributors, narcotic treatment programs, hospitals/clinics with an on-site pharmacy, and retail pharmacies are permitted to voluntarily administer mail-back programs and maintain collection receptacles. The regulation also expands the authority of authorized hospitals/clinics and retail pharmacies to voluntarily maintain collection receptacles at long-term care facilities. In addition, the rule reorganizes and consolidates previous regulations on disposal.
"Independent community pharmacists will review the DEA policy and decide which, if any, of the allowed disposal options for controlled substances are feasible at their particular pharmacy, taking into account the community in which they practice," Hoey stated. "One size does not fit all, so we appreciate the DEA outlining several allowable disposal options."
He noted that, for years, community pharmacists have been leaders in the disposal of non-controlled substances.
"More than 200,000 pounds of non-controlled substances have been collected for disposal through the Dispose My Meds program," Hoey added. "NCPA will continue working constructively with the DEA and others on this important issue."
