DEA Proposed Rule – Disposal of Controlled Substances

The Drug Enforcement Agency published a rule in late December to address requirements that govern the secure disposal of controlled substances by DEA registrants and users.  The rules address methods regarding secure disposal including take-back events, mail-back programs, and collection receptacle locations.  It appears that the DEA is not favoring a mail-back program for nursing facilities to utilize due to security concerns, and rather nursing facilities would have to rely upon the voluntary participation of a retail pharmacy with installation of a disposal receptacle.  Several questions arise from this rule and AHCA’s Senior Director of Clinical Services, Sandra Fitzler, wrote the attached synopsis of the DEA’s proposed rule.  A link to the rule is included in Sandy’s memorandum, which is available in the Members Only section of the IHCA website.  Comments on the proposed rule are due February 19th, 2013.