What your pharmacy needs to know about changing storage legislation
Recently introduced legislation would tighten restrictions on storage of hydrocodone-based painkillers. For your pharmacy, this means changes in both dispensing 
and storing these medications.
The FDA’s Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee voted 19–10 on January 25, 2013, to recommend rescheduling of hydrocodone from Schedule III to Schedule II. Sold under the brand names Lortab, Norco and Vicodin, hydrocodone-based painkillers are potentially addictive, and reports indicate the rising rate of abuse.
Pharmacies can expect a number of changes in procedure under these new restrictions. The Safe Prescribing Act of 2013 adds further limits on refills of these drugs, limits the quantity patients can be prescribed and puts greater restrictions on how these painkillers are handled and stored.
To prepare, your pharmacy staff should become aware of changes in how prescriptions are dispensed. Upon being prescribed hydrocone, patients are required to bring the written prescription to their pharmacy in order to receive these painkillers. Furthermore, pharmacists would require patients to present that original prescription for refills.
Your pharmacy should also review current hydrocodone storage methods. These new regulations require DEA-approved safes for these painkillers. SafeandVault.com is your pharmacy’s trusted source for safes that meet the Schedule I – V requirements for drugs and narcotics. DEA-approved safes are critical for security and safety.
The CSA (Controlled Substances Act) puts drugs and other substances into one of five categories or schedules, with Schedule I requiring the most security and Schedule V the least. Under the Safe Prescribing Act of 2013, hydrocodone will become a Schedule II substance, requiring your pharmacy to store these substances in a security-rated safe.
SafeandVault.com is pleased to provide safes in compliance with the newest regulations. Choose from a variety of B-rated safes, TL-15 and Class 5 for the storage of these narcotics.
Pharmacies must store controlled substances classified as Schedule I or II in a Class 5 narcotics storage safe. This DEA-approved safe must weigh over 750 pounds. The TL-rated safes should be securely fastened to a wall or floor, and may need to be linked to an alarm system. SafeandVault.com’s Class 5 safes include dual combination modes and can withstand 10 minutes of a brute force attack.
For greater protection for your pharmacy’s storage, SafeandVault.com offers TL 30-rated safes. Tested to the highest standards, these safes can withstand a drills, grinders or sledge hammers for a minimum of 30 minutes. Also rated fireproof for up to an hour at 1700 degrees Fahrenheit, these safes meet DEA requirements.
To learn more about SafeandVault.com’s full line of pharmacy storage safes, explore our Narcotics and Controlled Substances page. It’s our privilege to be your partner in security, safety and compliance. We consult and advise both independent and enterprise level pharmacies, biotech and R&D facilities as well as manufacturers on the myriad of regulations and rules for compliance and compliant storage of narcotics.