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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 12. Health
Agency 35. Department of Behavioral Health And Developmental Services
Chapter 105. Rules and Regulations for Licensing Providers by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
12/21/2024

12VAC35-105-990. Take-home medication.

A. Prior to dispensing regularly scheduled take-home medication, the provider shall ensure the individual demonstrates a level of current lifestyle stability as evidenced by the following:

1. Regular clinic attendance, including dosing and participation in counseling or group sessions;

2. Absence of recent alcohol abuse and illicit drug use;

3. Absence of significant behavior problems;

4. Absence of recent criminal activities, charges, or convictions;

5. Stability of the individual's home environment and social relationships;

6. Length of time in treatment;

7. Ability to ensure take-home medications are safely stored; and

8. Demonstrated rehabilitative benefits of take-home medications outweigh the risks of possible diversion.

B. Determinations for the take-home approval shall be based on the clinical judgment of the physician in consultation with the treatment team and shall be documented in the individual's service record.

C. If it is determined that an individual in comprehensive maintenance treatment is appropriate for handling take-home medication, the amount of take-home medication shall not exceed:

1. A single take-home dose for one day when the clinic is closed for business, including Sundays and state or federal holidays.

2. A single dose each week during the first 90 days of treatment (beyond that in subdivision 1 of this subsection). The individual shall ingest all other doses under the supervision of a medication administration trained employee.

3. Two doses per week in the second 90 days of treatment (beyond that in subdivision 1 of this subsection).

4. Three doses per week in the third 90 days of treatment (beyond that in subdivision 1 of this subsection).

5. A maximum six-day supply of take-home doses in the remaining months of the first year of treatment.

6. A maximum two-week supply of take-home medication after one year of continuous treatment.

7. One month's supply of take-home medication after two years of continuous treatment with monthly visits made by the individual served.

D. No medication shall be dispensed to individuals in short-term detoxification treatment or interim maintenance treatment for unsupervised take-home use.

E. Medication assisted opioid treatment providers shall maintain current procedures adequate to identify the theft or diversion of take-home medications. These procedures shall require the labeling of containers with the medication assisted opioid treatment providers name, address, and telephone number. Programs shall ensure that the take-home supplies are packaged in a manner that is designed to reduce the risk of accidental ingestion, including child proof containers.

F. The provider shall educate the individual on the safe transportation and storage of take-home medication.

Statutory Authority

§§ 37.2-302 and 37.2-400 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 18, eff. September 19, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 5, eff. December 7, 2011; Volume 39, Issue 11, eff. February 17, 2023.

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