The Controlled Substance Act was passed in 1970 and regulates the supply chain of certain medications, chemicals, and substances designated as having the potential for abuse. Pharmacies are one step in that supply chain, and community pharmacies are the last step before those medications reach the patient. It is critical that pharmacists and technicians understand the requirements of the Controlled Substance Act, both to protect the public’s health and to maintain compliance.

This course will review the major requirements of the Controlled Substance Act, as they apply to community pharmacies, and will highlight practical points that staff can implement into their everyday practice.

At the conclusion of this continuing education activity, the participant will be able to:

1. Describe the requirements of the Controlled Substance Act as it relates to the community pharmacy
2. Review best practices for controlled substances throughout their pharmacy lifecycle
3. Review the CMEA (Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act) and updates to buprenorphine dispensing

AchieveCE is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. AchieveCE is also accredited by the Florida Board of Pharmacy (provider no. 50-20641).

AchieveCE is designated as an Approved PACE Program Provider by the Academy of General Dentistry. The formal continuing education programs of this program provider are accepted by the AGD for Fellowship/Mastership and membership maintenance credit. Approval does not imply acceptance by a state or provincial board of dentistry or AGD endorsement. The current term of approval extends from September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2025. Provider ID# 386503.

AchieveCE is an approved provider of nursing continuing professional development by the Georgia Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

AchieveCE is also an approved provider by various state boards. Find the complete list here.

Alex Evans, PharmD, MBA, is a pharmacist, a medical writer, and the founder of pharmcompliance.com, a website dedicated to helping community pharmacies with compliance and operations. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a bachelor’s of science in biology, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Doctor of Pharmacy, and West Texas A&M University with a Masters of Business Administration.

This activity was developed by AchieveCE free of any commercial support.

Alex Evans, PharmD, MBA, faculty for this educational event, has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose. Pete Kreckel, RPh, planner for this activity, also has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

  Level 2. Basic Application of Skills and Concepts