Consumer News

Drug Donation

Any pharmacy with a current active pharmacy permit may apply on a form provided by the board for registration as a drug donation site. A registered drug donation site may receive eligible donated drugs, transfer such donated drugs to another registered drug donation site, or re-dispense the donated drugs in accordance with § 54.1-3411.1 of the Code of Virginia to patients of clinics organized in whole or in part for the delivery of health care services to the indigent. Drugs collected under the drug donation program may not be dispensed to any other patient, sold, or otherwise distributed except as authorized in regulation. Drugs may only be accepted by a registered drug donation site under the following conditions: the official compendium storage requirements shall be assured; drugs shall be in manufacturers' original sealed containers or in sealed individual dose or unit dose packaging , or better, as set forth in § 54.1-3411.1; drugs shall bear an expiration date that is not less than 90 days from the date the drug is donated; and the drugs shall not have been adulterated or misbranded. The following drugs shall NOT be accepted by a drug donation site: drugs in Schedule II-V (examples include most drugs for severe to moderate pain, anxiety, sleep disorders, and stimulants); drugs determined to be hazardous for donation based on the pharmacist's professional judgment, experience, knowledge, or available reference materials; drugs that may only be dispensed to a patient registered with the drug manufacturer under a restricted distribution system; and drugs that have been previously compounded.

List of Pharmacies Registered to be a Collection Site for Donated Drugs

Alerts

Read News and Alerts from the FDA

How to Report Problems With Products Regulated by the FDA

FDA Warning Letters

Drug Disposal

Consumer Guidance from Office of National Drug Control Policy on How to Dispose of Unwanted Prescription Drugs (pdf)

Campaign from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the American Pharmacists Association, and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America regarding how consumers Should Dispose of Unwanted Prescription Drugs

Internet Pharmacy Information

Dispensing and Purchasing Controlled Substances Over the Internet (DEA)

FDA Consumer Safety Alert Regarding Drugs that Should Not Be Purchased Over the Internet (FDA)

Consumer Guide to Buying Prescriptions Online (FDA)

Frequently Asked Questions - Buying Prescriptions Online (FDA)

Buying Medicine Online (NABP)

Importing Medications

Looks Can be Deceiving: The medicine you buy from outside the United States may be unsafe or ineffective.(FDA)

Medication Use

Information on prescription drug abuse and medication safety (AWARxE)

Medicines and You: A Guide for Older Adults (FDA)

Think it Through: A Guide to Managing the Benefits and Risks of Medicines (FDA)

FDA Statement Regarding the Anti-Depressant Paxil for Pediatric Population

Drugs@FDA - Search for official information about FDA approved brand name and generic drugs (FDA)

Over the Counter Medications

The best way to take your over-the-counter pain reliever? (FDA)

Over-the-Counter Medicines: What's Right for You? (FDA)

Drug Assistance Programs

Prescription Drug Assistance Programs Available in Virginia (Virginia Department for the Aging)

Health Insurance

FAMIS: Family Access to Medical Insurance Security
Virginia's program that helps working families provide health insurance to their children.

This page contains hyperlinks to web sites created and maintained by other government agencies and organizations relating to the control of and adherence to the Drug Control Act or to public health and safety issues. The Board of Pharmacy does not endorse the views expressed on these sites, nor does it assume any liability for the accuracy, currency, or completeness of the information presented on these sites.

This is not a complete listing of notifications from FDA or a complete listing of health related information. Please review other listings on any linked website for more complete information.