Delaware Administrative Code
Title 24 - Regulated Professions and Occupations
Department of State
Division of Professional Regulation
Uniform Controlled Substances Act Regulations
Section 7.0 - Security, Disposal and Loss or Theft

7.1.1 Practitioners who store more than 400 total dosage units of all controlled substances and pharmacies who store schedule II controlled substances must store these controlled substances in a burglar resistant type safe unless another storage area is approved by the Office of Controlled Substances. Other storage may include but not be limited to automated dispensing systems approved by the Office. If the safe weighs less than 750 pounds, it must be bolted, cemented, or secured to the wall or floor in such a way that it cannot be readily removed. Safes and other approved systems containing controlled substances must be kept locked at all times. Unless otherwise authorized by the Office of Controlled Substances, they may be opened only by the registered practitioner or by a licensed pharmacist or other approved licensed personnel. Only pharmacies may disperse schedule III, IV and V throughout the stock of non-controlled substances in such a manner as to obstruct the theft or diversion of the controlled substances.

7.1.2 Unless otherwise authorized by the Office of Controlled Substances, all controlled substance storage area or areas shall be provided with electronic intrusion detection equipment to all sections of the said area or areas where controlled substances are stored, so as to detect four-step movement. Four-step movement is the movement of a Four-step person walking not more than four consecutive steps at a rate of one step per second. Such Four-step movement shall constitute a "trial", and a sufficient number of detection units shall be installed so that, upon test, an alarm will be initiated in at least three out of every four consecutive "trials" made moving progressively through the protective area. Electronic intrusion detection equipment shall be installed using equipment that must be U.L. approved and listed. The said system must be capable of transmitting a local alarm to an outside audible device that shall comply with U.L. Standards.

7.1.3 The immediate area in a pharmacy remodeled or newly constructed after July 31, 2011 containing dispersed, controlled drugs must be secured in a manner approved by the Office of Controlled Substances which will prevent entry by unauthorized persons. Such a manner includes, but is not limited to, the implementation of a floor to ceiling physical barrier limiting access to the pharmacy area, motion detectors, strategically placed surveillance cameras and back-up alarm systems.

7.1.4 Access to controlled substances by non-registered personnel is only permitted under the direct supervision of the pharmacist or registered practitioner or other approved licensed personnel.

7.1.5 Practitioners who store no more than 400 total dosage units of controlled substances are not required to comply with the safe or alarm requirements of the Regulation. However, their controlled substances must be stored in securely locked, substantially constructed cabinets and only available to licensed personnel.

7.1.6 The Secretary of State may require additional security requirements if the Secretary deems it necessary as a result of the possibility of diversion of controlled substances.

7.2.1 Any registrant in possession of any controlled substances and desiring or required to dispose of such substance or substances shall do so according to established federal and State guidelines or may contact the Office of Controlled Substances for proper instructions regarding disposal.

7.3.1 Registrants shall notify the Office of Controlled Substances of any theft or significant loss of any controlled substances, or of any prescription blanks, upon the discovery of such loss or theft.

7.3.2 Registrants shall complete the Federal forms regarding loss or theft of controlled substances. A copy must be filed with the Office of Controlled Substances.