Safely Transporting Pharmaceuticals– A Portable Lock Box

When it comes to transporting pharmaceuticals, needles, syringes, and other critical items, secure storage is essential. Pharmacies, emergency medical services (EMS), home health service providers, and other medical providers need a way of securely and safely transporting pharmaceuticals and critical items from one destination to another.

Secure Pharmaceuticals & Critical Items in Transport

Many of the record keeping and regulations pertaining to pharmaceuticals and controlled substances stem from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Control Substance Act of 1970. However, there are also state and industry specific regulations that make safe medication storage in transit essential for compliance and operations. Depending on your line of work and your location, different regulations may apply.

LTC Pharmacies

Our Portable Electronic Control Box (PECB) with Tracking Software was originally designed to secure narcotics every step of the way from the pharmacy to the long-term care facility and back. LTC pharmacies are required to adhere to DEA regulations, CSA guidelines, and HIPPA regulations. Our Portable Electronic Control Box with Tracking Software enables LTC pharmacies to adopt a secure, durable, and affordable medication storage solution that is in compliance with DEA, CSA, and HIPAA regulations

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) carry pharmaceuticals, controlled substances, needles, syringes, and other critical items to provide medical care in the event of an emergency and during transport to the hospital. EMS responders are required to not only comply with federal regulations, but also state and supply chain specific regulations.

In another example, the New York State Emergency Medical Services Code requires EMS providers to store controlled substances, drugs, and needles in a securely locked cabinet when the items are being stored and not in use.

Home Health Care Providers

Home health care provides a range of care including nursing care, physical/occupational/speech therapy, homemaker or basic assistance, companionship, nutritional support, laboratory tests, pharmaceutical services, transportation, etc. When pharmaceutical services are involved, medicine and medical equipment is transported to the home. In transport, these pharmaceuticals and critical items need to be secured.

Above and beyond the DEA regulations, many states have their own regulations. For example, Illinois’ Home Health and Hospice Drug Dispensation and Administration Act  requires the home health agency, hospice, or authorized nursing employee to transport specified drugs in a sealed portable container only when certain procedures and policies are followed

Traveling Physicians

Traveling physicians, such as sports team doctors, need to safely transport pharmaceuticals and controlled substances from the practice to the games. The Medical Controlled Substances Transportation Act of 2017 amends the Controlled Substances Act to enable registered practitioners to transport and administer controlled substances in other states.

The registered practitioner must be licensed, registered, and authorized to administer controlled substances in the state, comply with recordkeeping requirements, and limit the duration of transport to 72 consecutive hours. Our PECB with Tracking Software helps the practitioners maintain the records.

Benefits of Secure Pharmaceutical Transportation

Our Portable Electronic Control Box (PECB) with Tracking Software was designed as an affordable, DEA compliant solution for safely transporting pharmaceuticals from the LTC pharmacy to the LTC facility. Our Portable Electronic Control Box (PECB)with Tracking Software can help benefit your operations in the following ways:

  • Comply with industry, state, and/or federal regulations.
  • Adhere to reporting requirements.
  • Avoid penalties and fines for DEA non-compliance.
  • Secure inventory from one destination to another.
  • Provide a step-by-step record of drug disbursement.
  • Ensure appropriate use with audit log with time and date stamps.
  • Provide accountability with an audit log.
  • Increase medication security and safety.
  • Reduce narcotic diversion, theft, and medication loss.

Depending on the level of regulation, some providers simply need an audit trail rather than a step-by-step record of drug disbursement. If you simply need an audit trail, our Portable Electronic Control Box (PECB) with an Audit Trail is a more affordable alternative. Learn more about the audit trail lock features.

Browse Portable Electronic Control Boxes

Shop our medication lock boxes online. If you are buying in bulk, please request a quote for a quantity discount. If you don’t find a product on our website that meets your needs contact us and let us know what you are looking for and we can develop a solution for you.