Emergency Distribution by a Pharmacy

PURPOSE: This rule provides for dispensing of controlled substances by a pharmacy in emergency situations. (1) An emergency means a situation where a quantity of a controlled substance must be dispensed by a pharmacy to a patient who does not have an alternative source for that substance reasonably available to him/her and the pharmacy cannot obtain that substance through its normal distribution channels within the time required to meet the immediate needs of the patient for that substance. In the event of an emergency, a pharmacy may distribute (without being registered as a distributor) a controlled substance in Schedule III, IV or V to a second pharmacy in order for that pharmacy to dispense the substance; provided, that— (A) The amount distributed does not exceed the amount required by the second pharmacy for his/her immediate dispensing; (B) The distribution is recorded as being dispensed by the first pharmacy and the second pharmacy records the substance as being received. Each pharmacy will retain a signed receipt of the distribution; (C) The second pharmacy is registered to dispense the controlled substance to be distributed to him/her; (D) If the substance is a Schedule II controlled substance, the official order form designated by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration must be used to document the transfer. AUTHORITY: section 195.195, RSMo 1994.* Original rule filed April 14, 2000, effective Nov. 30, 2000. *Original authority: 195.195, RSMo 1957, amended 1971, 1989, 1993.