North Carolina Now Requires Photo Identification to Pick Up Certain CS Medications

March 14, 2012 4:17 pm Topics: Controlled substances, Pharmacies, and Pharmacy staff

Effective March 1, 2012, a North Carolina law requires recipients of certain CS prescription medications to present an acceptable government-issued photo identification to pharmacy staff prior to receiving the dispensed medication. The law applies to all Schedule II CS and certain Schedule III CS and is intended to help prevent abuse of the drugs. Four types of government-issued identification are acceptable: a driver’s license, a special identification card issued by the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, a military identification, and a passport. The new law (N.C.G.S. § 90-106.1), was passed by the North Carolina General Assembly during the 2011 Session and signed by Governor Beverly Perdue, and amends the North Carolina Controlled Substances Act. The North Carolina Board of Pharmacy has published a document for pharmacy staff to answer frequently asked questions (PDF) about the new law. The Board notes on its Web site that because this law is part of the North Carolina Controlled Substances Act, the Drug Control Unit of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services also has administrative responsibilities for the statute.