What must a pharmacy keep if they send a controlled substance to a reverse distributor for destruction?

What must a pharmacy keep if they send a controlled substance to a reverse distributor for destruction?

• A. Schedule 2 must be logged on a DEA Form 222; Schedule III through V must maintain a record that lists the drug name, dosage form, drug strength, quantity, and date transferred and the reverse distributer is responsible to keep a DEA Form 41 for the destruction of the controlled substances.
• B. Only a simple log of the transfer.
• C. No records required; the reverse distributor handles all.
• D. A certificate of destruction.

Answer: (A)

When controlled substances are sent to a reverse distributor for destruction, proper documentation is required to prove chain-of-custody and compliance with DEA regulations. For Schedule II substances, you must use and keep a DEA Form 222 to document the transfer from the pharmacy to the reverse distributor. For Schedule III through V, you should maintain an internal transfer record that lists the drug name, dosage form, strength, quantity, and the date of transfer. The reverse distributor is responsible for retaining a DEA Form 41, Certificate of Destruction, to confirm that the destruction took place. This setup ensures both the transfer and the destruction are properly documented and auditable. A simple transfer log or no records at all would not satisfy regulatory requirements, and a certificate of destruction alone does not address the necessary transfer documentation.

When controlled substances are sent to a reverse distributor for destruction, proper documentation is required to prove chain-of-custody and compliance with DEA regulations. For Schedule II substances, you must use and keep a DEA Form 222 to document the transfer from the pharmacy to the reverse distributor. For Schedule III through V, you should maintain an internal transfer record that lists the drug name, dosage form, strength, quantity, and the date of transfer. The reverse distributor is responsible for retaining a DEA Form 41, Certificate of Destruction, to confirm that the destruction took place. This setup ensures both the transfer and the destruction are properly documented and auditable. A simple transfer log or no records at all would not satisfy regulatory requirements, and a certificate of destruction alone does not address the necessary transfer documentation.