Drug Handling Protocols and Controlled Substance Management

Protocols for Generic Drug Management

Handling

For both generic and controlled drugs, it is essential to dispense the old stock first before starting to use the new stock. The arrangement of generic drugs should be done according to the frequency of use, with products that move quickly placed in the front room of the pharmacy. Other generic drugs in the backroom should be arranged in alphabetical order.

Documentation with MAR Charts

Administration of generic drugs should be done using the Medication Administration Record (MAR) chart. The chart lists the name of the medication, the time and date when the medication is taken, the initials of the patient, the start and stop date, and other crucial information about the patient such as diagnoses, allergies, and the prescribing healthcare provider (Naidu & Alicia, 2019). MAR charts should be filled immediately after the prescribed medication is taken.

Storage

Generic drugs should be stored at room temperature ranging between 59°F and 86°F, in a dry and cool place away from sunlight (Funk et al., 2021). Medication should always be kept in its original packaging unless the manufacturer directs otherwise. Regularly, the generic medication should be monitored for signs of discoloration, damage, or unusual appearance.

Protocols for Controlled Drug Management

Receiving and Record-Keeping

On receiving controlled products, a receipt record should include the date received, principal investigator, vendor information, DEA number, drug strength, number of containers, and compound name. A controlled substance use log should be maintained for every container, including drug name, storage location, container type, drug form, strength, amounts received and used, the dispensing person, and reason for usage.

Storage Requirements

• Schedule I-II: Stored in a safe or constructed steel cabinet with burglary prevention rating and double lock system
• Schedule III-V: Stored in a locked cabinet or drawer that cannot be accessed from below or above
• Only authorized personnel should have access (Lockwood, 2025)
• Controlled drugs should not be transferred from their original containers

Monitoring with PDMP

Controlled drugs should be monitored using the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), an electronic database used to track controlled substance prescriptions. Through PDMP, healthcare providers can identify patients at risk of controlled substance overdose (Gunadi & Shi, 2023).

Preventing Drug Diversion: Case Application

Drug diversion should be prevented through automated dispensing technology and diversion monitoring software at all points in drug management, ranging from inventory control to documentation of medical waste (Zheng et al., 2021). Access to both generic and controlled drugs should only be given to authorized personnel. An employee taking medicine home for personal use violates organizational policies and should be immediately removed from duties to safeguard the organization's reputation and discourage similar behavior.

References

• Funk, O. G., et al. (2021). Medication storage appropriateness in US households. Innovations in Pharmacy, 12(2).
• Gunadi, C., & Shi, Y. (2023). Prescription drug monitoring programs. BMC Public Health, 23(1), 1326.
• Lockwood, W. (2025). Narcotic drugs: handling and documentation.
• Naidu, M., & Alicia, Y. L. Y. (2019). Impact of bar-code medication administration. Health, 11(05), 511.
• Zheng, W. Y., et al. (2021). Impact of automated dispensing cabinets. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 17(5), 832-841.