DPH Recognizes Pharmacists and Drug Control Agents During National Pharmacy Week

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Oct. 23, 2024

COLUMBIA, S.C. – National Pharmacy Week is observed Oct. 20-26, and the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is recognizing the important contributions pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and Drug Control agents make to patient care across the state.  

The Pharmacy Section within DPH’s Bureau of Clinical Services is responsible for the operational, professional and clinical activities associated with the distribution of pharmaceuticals through the agency's public health departments across the state.  

DPH pharmacists and pharmacy technicians contribute to the health of South Carolinians in unique ways. DPH pharmacists in the region pharmacies dispense pharmaceuticals to the health departments. Those medications are then provided to patients in need of services from DPH program areas such as Family Planning, STD/HIV, and Tuberculosis.  

DPH pharmacists also perform a key role in the agency’s opioid overdose prevention efforts by dispensing and distributing Narcan to ensure the availability of this life-saving opioid overdose reversal medication at DPH health departments, law enforcement agencies, fire departments, schools and substance use disorder treatment facilities.    

“It is an honor for DPH pharmacy staff members to be recognized during National Pharmacy Week for the contributions we make in the health care arena,” said Caroline Sojourner, DPH pharmacy director. “The pharmaceutical care provided by DPH’s pharmacists and pharmacy technicians is critical to the health and well-being of our families, friends, and all members of our communities.” 

DPH’s Bureau of Drug Control plays a key role in regulating those who manufacture, distribute, prescribe or dispense controlled substances by issuing controlled substance registrations and overseeing the state’s prescription monitoring program.  

Agents with DPH's Bureau of Drug Control, which is part of the Healthcare Quality division, conduct more than 1,800 annual onsite inspections at pharmacies, hospitals and practitioners’ offices that prescribe, administer, possess or dispense controlled substances. The Bureau of Drug Control also manages the state’s prescription monitoring program, known as SCRIPTS (South Carolina Reporting & Identification Prescription Tracking System), which helps identify and prevent the illegal distribution or abuse of controlled substances. 

“DPH’s Drug Control agents are commissioned state law enforcement officers with pharmacy backgrounds, making them uniquely qualified to ensure that controlled substances are properly handled, administered and documented in accordance with state and federal laws,” said Lisa Thomson, DPH Drug Control director. “Their hard work helps prevent the misuse of controlled substances in our state, and Pharmacy Week is an excellent opportunity to acknowledge and thank them for their dedication to the safety and well-being of our residents.” 

DPH’s Drug Control inspectors have two main focuses: a regulatory component and a law enforcement component.  

The regulatory aspect consists of monitoring controlled substance activity in South Carolina, which includes performing regulatory inspections and audits and answering questions from health care providers and the public about prescription medications. DPH’s goal is to ensure people have access to the controlled substances they need for their medical conditions while performing careful monitoring to prevent the illicit use of these medications. The misuse of certain controlled substances can seriously harm a person’s health.  

The law enforcement aspect involves investigating complaints about controlled substances being illegal distributed, often referred to as “diversion.” DPH’s Bureau of Drug Control assists federal, state and local law enforcement divisions with investigations related to controlled substance diversion and also assists state licensing agencies on diversion investigations involving licensed healthcare practitioners.  

Learn more about DPH’s oversight of controlled substances on the DPH website.  

Any media seeking to talk with a DPH expert on this topic may email media@dph.sc.gov. 

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