NABP Task Force Recommends CSA Revisions Aimed to Support Patient Care and Safety

July 27, 2011 11:01 AM Topics: Patient safety

To address public health and patient safety issues, such as escalating rates of prescription drug abuse and medication errors, federal legislators have adopted laws amending the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), such as the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010. In addition, DEA has implemented new rules, such as the interim final rule on electronic prescriptions for controlled substances. While pharmacy regulators await the implementation of the drug disposal laws and follow guidance to facilitate implementation of the e-prescribing rule, the need for additional CSA amendments that will support the provision of pharmacist care is recognized. With this need in mind, and with an eye toward future technologies and pharmacy practice changes, the NABP Task Force to Review and Recommend Revisions to the Controlled Substances Act has made 21 recommendations calling for amendments to the CSA itself or the related regulations. The task force also reviewed 20 additional amendments advised by its subcommittees, and ultimately recommended that these changes were unnecessary, or, in a few cases, made alternative recommendations.

The full article about the recommendations of the task force is available in the June-July 2011 NABP Newsletter (PDF).