10A NCAC 13F .1008       CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

(a)  An adult care home shall assure a record of controlled substances by documenting the receipt, administration, and disposition of controlled substances. These records shall be maintained with the resident's record in the facility and in such an order that there can be accurate reconciliation of controlled substances.

(b)  Controlled substances may be stored together in a common location or container. If Schedule II medications are stored together in a common location, the Schedule II medications shall be under double lock.

(c)  Controlled substances that are expired, discontinued, or no longer required for a resident shall be returned to the pharmacy within 90 days of the expiration or discontinuation of the controlled substance or following the death of the resident. The facility shall document the resident's name; the name, strength and dosage form of the controlled substance; and the amount returned. There shall also be documentation by the pharmacy of the receipt or return of the controlled substances.

(d)  If the pharmacy will not accept the return of a controlled substance, the administrator or the administrator's designee shall destroy the controlled substance within 90 days of the expiration or discontinuation of the controlled substance or following the death of the resident. The destruction shall be witnessed by a licensed pharmacist, dispensing practitioner, or designee of a licensed pharmacist or dispensing practitioner. The destruction shall be conducted so that no person can use, administer, sell, or give away the controlled substance. Records of controlled substances destroyed shall include the resident's name; the name, strength and dosage form of the controlled substance; the amount destroyed; the method of destruction; and, the signature of the administrator or the administrator's designee and the signature of the licensed pharmacist, dispensing practitioner or designee of the licensed pharmacist or dispensing practitioner.

(e)  Records of controlled substances returned to the pharmacy or destroyed by the facility shall be maintained by the facility for three years.

(f)  Controlled substances that are expired, discontinued, prescribed for a deceased resident, or deteriorated shall be stored securely in a locked area separately from actively used medications until disposed of.

(g)  A dose of a controlled substance accidentally contaminated or not administered shall be destroyed at the facility. The destruction shall be conducted so that no person can use, administer, sell, or give away the controlled substance. The destruction shall be documented on the medication administration record (MAR) or the controlled substance record showing the time, date, quantity, manner of destruction, and the initials or signature of the person destroying the substance.

(h)  The facility shall ensure that all known drug diversions are reported to the pharmacy, local law enforcement agency, and Health Care Personnel Registry as required by State law, and that all suspected drug diversions are reported to the pharmacy. There shall be documentation of the contact and action taken.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 131D-2.16; 131D-4.5; 143B-165;

Eff. July 1, 2005;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2022.