Drug suppliers must verify recipients and deliver to approved sites

Wholesalers follow their agreement when taking back or exchanging prescription drugs. These rules cover prescription drug returns and exchanges involving pharmacies, other authorized drug recipients, and chain pharmacy warehouses. Expired, damaged, recalled, or otherwise unsaleable drugs may go only to the original maker or a returns processor. Returns and exchanges are exempt from certain tracking rules only when federal guidance exempts them. Wholesalers and pharmacies or other authorized recipients must secure the returns process against adulterated or counterfeit drugs. The section containing these rules is scheduled for repeal on January 1, 2028.

Drug makers and wholesalers supply prescription drugs only to people licensed by the proper state authority. A health care site is a place where a licensed medical, dental, or veterinary practitioner provides services and is responsible for receiving, storing, and using drugs. Before supplying someone they do not know, the maker or wholesaler must check with state licensing authorities that the person may receive the drugs. Drugs generally go to a licensee's business or licensed premises, or to a health care site the Department has been told may receive them. A person or agent may receive drugs at the maker's or wholesaler's premises only after their identity and authority are established, and only to meet a particular patient's immediate needs. Controlled substances may go only to a registered business or professional practice. The section containing these rules is scheduled for repeal on January 1, 2028.

Hospital pharmacy staff sign for drug deliveries, and drug makers and wholesalers follow rules for purchase accounts. The receipt rule applies to deliveries to a hospital pharmacy receiving area. The account rules apply to prescription drug purchases. A pharmacist or authorized receiving worker must sign a receipt showing the type and amount of drugs delivered. Any mismatch between the receipt and the delivery must be reported to the maker or wholesaler by the next business day. A maker or wholesaler may accept payment or credit to set up an account only from the licensee's owner of record, chief executive officer, or chief financial officer. The account must use the licensee's name. A pharmacy or chain pharmacy warehouse may still receive drugs when payment is processed through its contractual drug maker or wholesaler. Delivery mismatches must be reported by the next business day.