What Can Cause a Loss of Dispensing Privileges for Pharmacists?

 Posted on November 07, 2024 in Pharmacy License Defense

A pharmacist with dispensing privileges can fill prescriptions for controlled substances and dispense FDA-approved medication to patients. If these dispensing privileges are revoked, it can shut down a pharmacy and cause harm to a pharmacist’s career. Certain violations or mistakes can lead to a loss of these privileges, as well as disciplinary actions such as license suspension or revocation. To avoid such scenarios, consult an Illinois pharmacy license defense attorney who can defend your license and dispensing privileges.

What Are the Top Reasons for the Loss of Dispensing Privileges?

Pharmacists are required to comply with Illinois state laws set out in the Illinois Pharmacy Practice Act and the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Failure to do so can lead to the revocation of a pharmacist’s license or dispensing privileges by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Pharmacists can also risk investigations by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) if they violate federal law.

The most common causes for a loss of dispensing privileges include:

• Failure to verify prescriptions: It is a pharmacist’s job to verify that the prescriptions he or she is filling are valid and legitimate. Failure to identify red flags and inconsistencies can result in filling invalid prescriptions which can lead to allegations of drug diversion.

• Prescription errors: Even careless mistakes when filling prescriptions can lead to a loss of dispensing privileges. Providing the wrong dosages or the wrong medication, for example, can trigger an investigation.

• Drug diversion: Violating laws concerning controlled substances can be considered drug diversion and may invite an investigation by the DEA. Such violations may include overfilling prescriptions or dispensing a controlled substance without a valid prescription.

• Poor record-keeping: Documentation is a crucial part of a pharmacy practice. Aside from being a legal requirement, properly maintaining records can help auditors see that a pharmacist is in compliance with relevant rules and regulations. Poor record-keeping, however, can lead to suspicions of drug diversion or other violations.

• Fraud: A pharmacist who is found to have engaged in fraud, such as fraudulent billing practices, is likely to lose dispensing privileges.

How Can I Prevent a Loss of Dispensing Privileges?

To avoid losing your dispensing privileges and jeopardizing your license, implement best practices that prevent missteps and violations like those above. For example:

• Staff training: Making sure your staff is well-trained in compliance protocols and relevant laws can help avoid violations. It is also important to arrange proper oversight of employees so that any compliance issues can be addressed quickly.

• Internal audits: Conducting regular in-house audits can be a great way to catch any errors in your processes.

• Strict documentation: Being rigorous about your record-keeping can not only put auditors’ minds at ease but can also help you identify where there might be issues in your practice that need to be addressed.

• Consult an attorney: An attorney who understands how the pharmacy industry works can be invaluable to your practice by defending you against any threats to your license or dispensing privileges.

Contact an Illinois Professional License Defense Attorney

At The Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, Inc., we are committed to helping you keep your practice and license safe from disciplinary actions. Attorney Jay Bogdan is an attorney and registered pharmacist who is familiar with the pharmacy industry and the IDFPR. Schedule a free consultation with an Illinois pharmacist license defense lawyer by calling 630-310-1267 today.