For many, prescription drugs are an absolute necessity to survive. For those suffering with serious medical conditions, prescription drugs have given them a new lease on life. But what happens when your prescription medication goes missing or is stolen?
The obligation to report is different between professionals and ordinary citizens. For pharmacists, healthcare facilities, and drug manufacturers, the answer is clear. Whether a CVS or a mom-and-pop operation, all pharmacies have filled out a DEA registration.
They are required to report any significant loss of a controlled substance to the Department of Justice’s DEA Diversion Control Division. This is done by submitting DEA Form 106 after the discovery of the theft.
Any drug sold in the U.S. is required to be registered with the FDA to receive an identifier called a National Drug Code. This nine- or 10-digit number is unique for each drug compound, whether it’s finished or not. Having an NCD does not signify FDA approval.
Prescription medicines such as pain relievers and opiates are the most commonly stolen from pharmacies. This trend continues when it comes to private citizens. As the opioid crisis has demonstrated, people dependent on opiates will often go to great lengths to get more.
What’s considered a significant loss of any controlled substance depends on the situation. The theft of a single bottle of oxycontin is a big deal for your local pharmacy and may involve your state’s Board of Pharmacy. For a drug manufacturer producing tens of thousands of pills a day, a hundred pills missing is less remarkable.
As a private citizen, most states don’t require that you report the theft of prescription medication. If you want any chance of getting it replaced, you’re going to need a police report to make a report of theft. While having one doesn’t guarantee success in recovering your stolen medication, the threat of prosecution for filing a false police report can add legitimacy to your claim.
You may need to fill the form out at the police station as opposed to online. It is important to check your local rules when reporting.
To someone dependent on their medicine, these questions can be a literal matter of life or death. Even if your situation is not that dire, it’s a good idea to be aware of your options and obligations after the loss of controlled substances.
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