title: Preventing large-scale controlled substance diversion from within the pharmacy.
abstract: Large-scale diversion of controlled substances (CS) from within a hospital or heath system pharmacy is a rare but growing problem. It is the responsibility of pharmacy leadership to scrutinize control processes to expose weaknesses. This article reviews examples of large-scale diversion incidents and diversion techniques and provides practical strategies to stimulate enhanced CS security within the pharmacy staff. Large-scale diversion from within a pharmacy department can be averted by a pharmacist-in-charge who is informed and proactive in taking effective countermeasures.
authors.affiliation: Vice President, Pharmacy Services, Scott & White Memorial Hospital, Temple, Texas;
authors.forename: Emory S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: Director, Pharmacy Informatics, Scott & White Memorial Hospital, Temple, Texas;
authors.forename: Steven H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Dzierba
authors.affiliation: Medical Outcomes Specialist, Pfizer, Inc, Grapevine, Texas. Corresponding author: Emory S. Martin, Scott & White Memorial Hospital, Pharmacy Services, 2401 South 31st Street, Temple, TX 76508; e-mail: emartin@.sw.org.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Jones
keywords: controlled substances; diversion; narcotics; pharmacy management