North Carolina News: Item 2130 - Automated Dispensing Devices in Long-Term Care Facilities

January 1, 2007 12:47 PM Topics: Long term care facility and Automated dispensing system

Reprinted from the January 2007 North Carolina Board of Pharmacy Newsletter.

In May 2005, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) promulgated a rule that allows, where state law permits, a retail pharmacy to install an automated dispensing system at a long-term care facility (LTCF). These systems allow dispensing of single dosage controlled substance units, and can mitigate the problem of excess controlled substance stocks and disposal.

Under Board rules, an automated dispensing device may only be installed at a facility holding a pharmacy permit (see 21 NCAC 46.3401). It is the consensus of the Board that limited service permits may be obtained for the installation of automated dispensing systems in LTCFs.

DEA rule, found at 21 C.F.R. §1301.17(c) and §1301.27, provides that, upon receiving authorization from appropriate state authorities, a pharmacy may apply for an additional DEA registration to operate the automated dispensing system at an LTCF. Pharmacists who serve LTCFs should investigate the use of automated dispensing systems. The potential public health and safety benefits are significant.