Avoid Unsafe Medicines and Vendors
Avoid Unsafe Medicines and Vendors
Sourcing is an important first step. Begin by establishing a list of trusted alternative sources.
Acquire a copy of the source’s license from your state wholesale distributor regulatory board. A list of
these is available online from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (www.nabp.net/vawd/ATLWDs.pdf).
Form a list of key drug products which are at risk of shortages, diversion or counterfeiting. You can use
this list to help determine which alternative vendors will best suit your needs.
- To determine factors based on the likelihood of tampering or counterfeiting, consult the Food and
Drug Administration’s 2006 PDMA Policy Compliance Guide (http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/ComplianceManuals/CompliancePolicyGuidanceManual/ucm073857.htm). - To see a list of current drug shortages, consult the online Drug Shortage Resource Center of the
American Society of Health‐System Pharmacists (www.ashp.org/shortage).
Ensure your sources will verify that:
- The drug’s pedigree meets state and federal standards.
- The product is not diverted.
- There have been no changes that would alter the original manufacturer’s warranties or
guarantees. - The product has been stored and handled properly.