Gabapentin is a Schedule V Controlled Substance as of July 1, 2018

29 Jun Gabapentin is a Schedule V Controlled Substance as of July 1, 2018

REMINDER:  AN INVENTORY OF GABAPENTIN MUST BE PERFORMED AFTER CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON JUNE 30, 2018 OR PRIOR TO OPENING ON JULY 1, 2018.

GABAPENTIN IS A SCHEDULE V CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE IN TENNESSEE AS OF JULY 1, 2018

Effective July 1, 2018, all gabapentin products will be Schedule V controlled substances in the state of Tennessee. Gabapentin is often used to potentiate the effects of opioids and potentially increases the risk of overdose death when used in combination with them. The US has seen substantial increases in the rate of gabapentin prescribing and abuse, leading to this change. The new scheduling of gabapentin will not only affect patients, but veterinarians that dispense and prescribe gabapentin as well.

What veterinarians need to do:
Inventory of gabapentin must be performed after close of business on June 30, 2018, or prior to opening of business on July 1, 2018, the effective date of the new scheduling. Thereafter, a new inventory must be performed at least every two years and should be added to your usual biennial inventory.

Information must be submitted for each gabapentin prescription to the controlled substance monitoring database (CSMD) in the same manner and with the same frequency as you currently follow for other controlled substances.

Required documentation on gabapentin prescription should match other controlled substances in accordance with the requirements outlined by the DEA and state of Tennessee.

-Medical or prescription order serial number
-Date of issuance of the medical or prescription order
-Patient’s name and address
-Prescriber’s name, address, and DEA registration number
-Product name, strength, dosage form, and quantity prescribed
-Directions for use, and labeling instructions
-Refill instructions
-Date of dispensing, quantity dispensed, and identity (name, initials, or identification code) of the dispensing
veterinarian for the original dispensing and each refill.

While the DEA is unclear on guidance for refills on Schedule V prescriptions, the Tennessee Pharmacists Association (TPA) encourages pharmacies to adopt a policy of filling or refilling no more than six months after the date the prescription was issued, and refilling no more than five times. (CFR 1306.22, CFR 1306.23). TVMA would suggest that veterinary practices adopt similar policies.

Gabapentin should be securely stored with other controlled substances in accordance with the requirements outlined by the DEA and state of Tennessee.

Gabapentin should be disposed of in a similar manner to other controlled substances in accordance with the requirements outlined by the DEA and state of Tennessee.

Remember to review all controlled substance record keeping, inventory, prescribing and dispensing requirements as outlined by the DEA and state of Tennessee.

REMEMBER AN INVENTORY OF GABAPENTIN MUST BE PERFORMED AFTER CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON JUNE 30, 2018 OR PRIOR TO OPENING ON JULY 1, 2018.