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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>61132</law_id><section_number>54.1-3411.1</section_number><catch_line>Prohibition on returns, exchanges, or re-dispensing of drugs; exceptions</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="54.1">Professions and Occupations</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="III">Professions and Occupations Regulated by Boards Within the Department of Health Professions</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="34">Drug Control Act</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="1">General Provisions</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> <span class="dictionary">Drugs</span> dispensed to <span class="dictionary">persons</span> pursuant to a <span class="dictionary">prescription</span> shall not be accepted for return or exchange for the purpose of re-<span class="dictionary">dispensing</span> by any pharmacist or pharmacy after such <span class="dictionary">drugs</span> have been removed from the pharmacy premises from which they were dispensed except: <a id="paragraph-223470" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3411.1/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> In a hospital with an on-site hospital pharmacy wherein <span class="dictionary">drugs</span> may be returned to the pharmacy in accordance with practice standards; <a id="paragraph-223471" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3411.1/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> In such cases where <span class="dictionary">official compendium</span> storage requirements are assured and the <span class="dictionary">drugs</span> are in <span class="dictionary">manufacturers</span>&#x2019; original <span class="dictionary">sealed</span> containers or in <span class="dictionary">sealed</span> individual dose or unit dose packaging that meets <span class="dictionary">official compendium</span> class A or B container requirements, or better, and such return or exchange is consistent with federal <span class="dictionary">law</span>; or <a id="paragraph-223472" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3411.1/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> When a dispensed <span class="dictionary">drug</span> has not been out of the <span class="dictionary">possession</span> of a <span class="dictionary">delivery</span> <span class="dictionary">agent</span> of the pharmacy. <a id="paragraph-223473" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3411.1/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall promulgate regulations to establish a <span class="dictionary">prescription drug</span> donation program for accepting unused previously dispensed <span class="dictionary">prescription drugs</span> that meet the criteria set forth in subdivision A 2, for the purpose of re-<span class="dictionary">dispensing</span> such drugs to <span class="dictionary">indigent</span> patients, either through hospitals or through clinics organized in whole or in part for the <span class="dictionary">delivery</span> of health care services to the <span class="dictionary">indigent</span>. Such program shall not authorize the donation of Schedule II-V <span class="dictionary">controlled substances</span> if so prohibited by federal <span class="dictionary">law</span>. No drugs shall be re-dispensed unless the integrity of the drug can be assured. Such program shall accept eligible <span class="dictionary">prescription drugs</span> from individuals, including those residing in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or intermediate care facilities established for individuals with intellectual disability (ICF/IID), licensed hospitals, or any facility operated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Additionally, such program shall accept eligible <span class="dictionary">prescription drugs</span> from an <span class="dictionary">agent</span> pursuant to a <span class="dictionary">power of attorney</span>, a decedent&#x2019;s personal representative, a legal guardian of an incapacitated <span class="dictionary">person</span>, or a <span class="dictionary">guardian ad litem</span> donated on behalf of the represented individual. <a id="paragraph-223474" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3411.1/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Unused <span class="dictionary">prescription drugs</span> dispensed for use by <span class="dictionary">persons</span> eligible for coverage under Title XIX or Title XXI of the Social Security Act, as amended, may be donated pursuant to this section unless such donation is prohibited. <a id="paragraph-223475" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3411.1/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> A pharmaceutical <span class="dictionary">manufacturer</span> shall not be liable for any claim or injury arising from the storage, donation, acceptance, transfer, or <span class="dictionary">dispensing</span> of any drug provided to a patient or any other activity undertaken in accordance with a drug distribution program established pursuant to this section. <a id="paragraph-223476" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3411.1/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> Nothing in this section shall be construed to create any new or additional liability, or to abrogate any liability that may exist, applicable to a pharmaceutical <span class="dictionary">manufacturer</span> for its products separately from the storage, donation, acceptance, transfer, or <span class="dictionary">dispensing</span> of any drug provided to a patient in accordance with a drug distribution program established pursuant to this section. <a id="paragraph-223477" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3411.1/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> In the absence of bad faith or gross <span class="dictionary">negligence</span>, no <span class="dictionary">person</span> that donates, accepts, or <span class="dictionary">dispenses</span> unused <span class="dictionary">prescription drugs</span> in accordance with this section and <span class="dictionary">Board</span> regulations shall be subject to criminal or civil liability for matters arising from the donation, acceptance, or <span class="dictionary">dispensing</span> of such unused <span class="dictionary">prescription drugs</span>. <a id="paragraph-223478" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3411.1/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2002, c. 632; 2005, c. 68; 2008, c. 429; 2009, cc. 109, 114; 2018, c. 376.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
