What must a pharmacy do with their certificate of registration if they cease business?

When a pharmacy ceases business, it is required to return its certificate of registration to the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration). This action is important for several reasons. First, by returning the certificate, the pharmacy effectively cancels its registration to prevent any misuse of the registration number associated with controlled substances. This ensures that the pharmacy does not continue to operate without proper authorization or that its registration is not inadvertently used by someone else. It reflects compliance with federal regulations governing the handling of controlled substances and helps maintain the integrity of the distribution of these medications.

In certain situations, the pharmacy may have to follow specific procedures when closing, such as notifying the DEA of the closure, but the key regulatory requirement remains the return of the certificate of registration. This process helps the DEA keep accurate records and prevents any legal or pharmacological complications that may arise if a closure is not properly documented.