Allowing Central Fill Pharmacies To Fill Prescriptions for Controlled Substances on Behalf of Retail Pharmacies

DEA is proposing to amend its regulations to provide for the use of central fill pharmacies, also known as refill pharmacies, fulfillment centers, or call centers. Unlike retail pharmacies which dispense controlled substances directly to the patient, central fill pharmacies provide a service to retail pharmacies by preparing and packaging prescriptions for retail pharmacies to dispense to the patient. Prescription information is transmitted from a retail pharmacy to a central fill pharmacy where the prescription is filled or refilled. The filled prescription is delivered to the retail pharmacy for pick up by the patient. Industry has expressed interest in utilizing central fill pharmacy operations to allow for more efficient delivery of prescriptions to patients. With this rulemaking, DEA is proposing to expand the definition of "dispense" to include the activities of central fill pharmacies. Mail order and Internet pharmacies, which currently obtain prescriptions from and dispense directly to a patient, are not affected by this regulation. They will continue to be registered as retail pharmacies.