The delivery of medication is not changing for clinic patients. We are simply taking the necessary steps to comply with DEA requirements. Due to the ongoing opioid epidemic, DEA is requiring all pharmacies like AIS to take additional steps to strengthen the chain of custody and security for these medications. To continue receiving your medication, you and your treating practitioner are required to sign a Power of Attorney (“POA”). The POA allows AIS to continue to provide your medication to your clinic, without any interruptions in your care.
Unfortunately, pharmacies are not permitted to dispense controlled substances to nurses or other intermediaries who would then transport the medication to your home for administration. Pharmacies have two options. They can ship directly to patients, but that increases the likelihood that the medication could be damaged, stolen or end up in the wrong person’s hands. The other, much better option, is to ship to a clinic based on a POA. Shipping controlled substances to nurses is not an option. This means our nursing team will not be able to complete pump refill treatment in your home. Instead, patients should contact their doctor and arrange to have their pumps refilled in the doctor’s office or clinic.
As of September 15, 2024, AIS stopped dispensing controlled substances to our nurses so they can take them to patients’ homes. We will transition your care back to your doctor’s clinic for pump refills and care. However, we are making our nurses available should your doctor choose to engage us to perform your refill at the clinic. Please contact your doctor with any questions or concerns about future treatment. You can also call our Customer Service line at 877.443.4006 and ask for the POA team.
Please note that this does not apply to patients who receive pump refills in the home for Prialt and Baclofen, or any other non-controlled substance. We will continue to service these patients in the home.
A POA is a simple legal document whereby you authorize AIS to ship your medication to your practitioner’s clinic. The POA requirement applies to all pharmacies providing intrathecal controlled substances. It is a federal DEA requirement, not an AIS requirement. Shipping to a practitioner’s clinic is the safer, better route. That way, the medications get shipped directly to the practitioner who ordered your medication.
We are working closely with clinics and practitioners to ensure they have what they need to get the POA form signed. We have provided your treating practitioner with a template form that complies with the laws of the state where your controlled substances will be shipped. The POA can be signed at your next appointment or you can sign it remotely. Some states require a witness and/or notary to be present, and we have engaged an online notary service, called Proof, to support these efforts. Reach out to your doctor for more information on the POA.
Enhancing the lives of our patients and providing the best overall care experience is our top priority. We understand there may be a small number of patients whose health condition is such that it would not be safe for them to be transported to a clinic. In those rare circumstances, we will work with your doctor to determine the best way to get you the care you need.