Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection

Drug Control Division

**IMPORTANT**  No later than January 1, 2023, each pharmacy shall post a sign notifying consumers that they may visit the Department of Consumer Protection website for information concerning the safe storage of prescription drugs and the disposal of unused and expired prescription drugs. To download materials, click here.

The Drug Control Division works to protect the health and safety of Connecticut residents by regulating all persons and firms involved in the distribution of all legal drugs, medical devices and cosmetics in Connecticut. The Division oversees Connecticut licensing for pharmacies, pharmacists, controlled substance providers and laboratories, pharmacy technicians, manufacturers and wholesalers of drugs, cosmetics and medical devices and medical marijuana. The Drug Control Division is also responsible for the Prescription Monitoring Program.

Adult-Use Cannabis Notification NOTICE:  The Commissioner has authorized Dispensary Facilities that apply and are approved by the Department of Consumer Protection to conduct delivery services, to commence medical marijuana deliveries to qualifying patients and caregivers as of Monday, September 27, 2021.The delivery service application for Dispensary Facilities and the operational policies governing medical delivery will be forthcoming on the Department’s website. 

COVID-19

Vaccination Guidance for Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacy Interns Final (1/4/2021)

The Department of Consumer Protection is aware of the federal Department of Health and Human services declaration that permits pharmacists to administer vaccinations to children ages 3-18 and Connecticut will abide by the declaration and will not enforce state laws preempted by it.  The administration is dedicated to ensuring as many children as possible receive vaccination including influenza and any schedule vaccine whose administration was delayed by COVID-19 and the disruptions to well-care visits.  The administration also recognizes the value of vaccinations that occur as part of the well-care visits and fully supports that activity.  Ultimately, the individual seeking to be vaccinated and their parent or guardian should consider all of their options and speak with their pediatrician prior to making any decisions about their care.

Executive Orders

May 8, 2020 Executive Order No 7KK Expires July 20, 2021

  • Permits pharmacists to order COVID-19 tests

December 7, 2020 Executive Order No. 9Q Expires July 20, 2021

  • Administration of COVID-19 vaccine by licensed pharmacists
  • Reporting of influenza vaccine administration to patients younger than 18
  • Out-of-network COVID-19 immunization

    Implementation Orders

    Guidance Documents/Resources

     

    Live Chat is now available for the Drug Control Division during normal business hours.  Please be aware that the individual you are speaking with may direct you to different parts of the Drug Control Division to assist you with your question.  In certain instances, you may be asked to provide a phone number or email address so that the appropriate individual can review your question and respond accordingly.

    Licenses, Registrations, Permits, etc. - Find all of the types of Licenses, Registration, Permits that are a part of the Drug Control Division  and more.

    Commission of Pharmacy - Find meeting minutes, members and other pharmacy related information and more.

    Pharmacy Complaints - Learn how to file a complaint about a pharmacy.

    Preventing Prescription/Medication Errors  - Find tips for protecting yourself against prescription/medication errors.

    Prescription Monitoring Program - Find information about the Connecticut Prescription Monitoring and Reporting System and more.

    Medical Marijuana Program - Registration, practitioners information, qualifying conditions, frequently asked questions and more.

    Registrant Resources and Guidance Documents - Find documents that may be help for different disciplines regulated by the Drug Control Division.

    Law Enforcement Resources - Find general information about medication, charges and more.

    Statutes and Regulations - Find law information regarding the laws that pertain to the Drug Control Division.

    Certificate of Free Sale - Click here for the certificate of free sale documents required by the Drug Control Division.

    Latest News/Quick Resource

    Gabapentin and Naloxone in the CPMRS

    Controlled Substance Prescribing Guidance

    Return of Prescription Drugs to Pharmacies

    Epinephrine in Authorized Entities

    Suspicious Order Monitoring

    Naloxone at Higher Education

    Designated Pharmacist Requirements for Sterile Pharmaceutical Preparation

    Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances

    Resources:


    New Laws

    • Public Act 21-9  An Act Concerning Telehealth
      • Section 7: Medical Marijuana
    • Public Act 21-37 An Act Concerning Department of Consumer Protection Licensing And Enforcement, Antitrust Issues and the Palliative Ue of Marijuana and Revisions to the Liquor Control Act
      •  
    • Public Act 21-182 Veterinarians are exempt from reporting insulin drugs, glucagon drugs, diabetes devices and diabetic ketoacidosis devices for animal patients
    • Public Act 21-192 An Act Concerning Various Pharmacy Statutes
      • Section 1: Definition Updates
      • Section 2: Automated Prescription Dispensing Machine
      • Section 3: Syringe Services Machines
      • Section 4: Collaborative Drug Therapy Management Changes
      • Section 5: Outpatient Treatment Program Data in the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
    • Public Act 20-2 An Act Concerning Telehealth
      • Section 2: Transfer of unfilled prescriptions for Schedule II, III, IV, and V medication
    • Public Act 20-4 An Act Concerning Diabetes and High Deductible Health Plans
      • Section 3: Pharmacist can prescribe insulin drugs, glucagon drugs, diabetes devices or ketoacidosis devices in certain circumstances
      • Section 4: Notice to Pharmacies
      • Section 5: Uploading  insulin drugs, glucagon drugs, diabetes devices or ketocaidosis devices to the PDMP
    • Public Act 19-191 An Act Addressing Opioid Use
      • Section 1: Pharmacist Counseling
      • Section 3: Pharmacy Technician Delegate in the Connecticut Prescription Monitoring and Reporting System
      • Section 4: Suspicious Order Monitoring
      • Section 6: Pain Agreements/Care Plan for Treatment of Pain with Opioids for Greater than 12 weeks
      • Section 7: Naloxone at Institutions of Higher Education
    • Public Act 19-19 An Act Concerning Epinephrine Auto Injectors (Effective From Passage)
    • Public Act 19-177 An Act Making Changes to Department of Consumer Protection Enforcement Statutes
      • Section 28: Sterile Compounding
      • Section 29: Pharmacy to report legal action commenced by federal or state agency
      • Section 30: Classification of Connecticut Controlled Substances
      • Section 31: Marijuana Products Schedule Changes
    • Public Act 19-98 An Act Concerning the Scope of Practice of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
      • Section 22 and 23: Advanced practice registered nurses and collaborative drug therapy management
    • Public Act 19-38 An Act Concerning Increasing the Penalties for Sale of Fentanyl
    • Public Act 19-13 An Act Concerning the Sale of Cigarettes, Tobacco Products, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems and Vapor Products to Persons Under Age Twenty-One
    • Public Act 18-166 (Effective 7/1/2018)
      • Section 2: Self and Family Prescribing of Controlled Substances Limitation
      • Section 3: Naloxone Distribution Agreements
    •  Public Act 18-148 (Effective 7/1/18) 
      • Section 1: Telehealth - expansion to add controlled substances for a psychiatric disability or substance use disorder
      • Section 2: Prevents practitioners using telehealth from receiving a waiver from electronic prescribing of controlled substances
    • Public Act 18-74 (Effective 10/1/2018) - Biologic products 
    • Public Act 18-16 (Effective 1/1/19) 
      • Section 1: Penalty per violation of the chapter
      • Section 2: Fees for filing changes for Non-Resident Pharmacies
      • Section 3: Suspicious order reporting for Manufacturers and Wholesalers
      • Section 4: Annually controlled substance inventory
      • Section 5: Perpetual inventory for Schedule II medications with monthly reconciliation
      • Section 6: Sterile compounding 
    • Public Act 17-131 An Act Preventing Prescription Opioid Diversion and Abuse
      • Section 1: Data Sharing
      • Section 2: Drug destruction 
      • Section 3: Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances
      • Section 4: Voluntary nonopioid directive form
      • Section 5: Prescribing of Opioids update
      • Section 6: Medication assisted treatment
      • Section 12: Naloxone standing order
    • HYDROCODONE MOVES TO SCHEDULE II
      • Prescriptions issued before October 6, 2014:   October 6, 2014/April 8, 2015 :  Any prescriptions for HCPs that are issued before October 6, 2014, and authorized for refilling, may be dispensed in accordance with 21 CFR 1306.22-1306.23, 1306.25, and 1306.27, if such dispensing occurs before April 8, 2015.
      • Prescriptions issued on or after October 6, 2014 :  October 6: 2014 :  No prescription for HCPs issued on or after October 6, 2014 shall authorize any refills. 

     Source:  Federal Register

    Authority:  21 U.S.C. 829(a); 21 CFR part 1306 and subpart C of 21 CFR part 1311.   

    Educational Resources for Law Enforcement, First Responders and Healthcare Personnel: