Pharmacy-Based Controlled Substances Distribution for a University Campus

A university-wide pharmacy-based controlled substances distribution system is described. The purchasing and control of controlled substances for the entire university campus is centralized in the hospital pharmacy department. The distribution system uses the concept of restricted versus nonrestricted drugs, where restricted drugs are all Schedule II controlled substances and other drugs needing restrictive control. The restricted or nonrestricted status of a drug is based upon suspected or observed abuse potential. After receipt by the pharmacy, all controlled substances and restricted drugs are stored in a vault. A 24-hour audit-disposition record system is used to control the inpatient distribution of restricted drugs, which are stored in locked cabinets on each nursing unit. In the outpatient pharmacy, a small supply of restricted drugs is stored in a locked cabinet; the inventory is reconciled weekly. Nonrestricted controlled substances, such as phenobarbital and chloral hydrate, are distributed to the inpatient satellite pharmacies and the outpatient pharmacy in the same manner as other prescription drugs. Campus practitioners and researchers order all controlled substances from the pharmacy using the appropriate order forms; each individual is responsible for maintaining a record and control system. A quality assurance program was established to review and improve the quality of service. The centralized pharmacy-based system improved the control, monitoring, and efficiency of controlled substances distribution for the entire university campus.