August 26, 2020
Regulatory Issues to Be Aware of When Delivering Prescriptions
Prescription drug delivery services have never been in higher demand than now. Couriers have seen a steep increase in residential demand during COVID-19 lockdowns, and there's no indication this demand will slow or stop anytime soon.
As more patients rely on online pharmacies, pharmacy delivery services, and third-party courier services to deliver their medications in a safe, discreet, and timely manner, delivery services need to be aware of the regulatory issues involved with medication delivery.
What regulatory issues should you be aware of when delivering prescriptions?
Valid Prescriptions Only
First and foremost, there are Federal regulations regarding prescription delivery that you must abide by, such as:
No controlled substance that is a prescription drug may be delivered, distributed, or dispensed by means of the Internet without a valid prescription.
According to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 21:
"it is unlawful for any person to knowingly or intentionally fill a prescription for a controlled substance that was issued in a manner that constitutes dispensing by means of the Internet unless such person is a pharmacist who is acting in the usual course of his professional ...