Yes. Federal Drug Enforcement Administration rules – 21 CFR § 1301.17(c) and § 1301.27 – allow, where state law permits (and North Carolina law does permit), a retail pharmacy to obtain a DEA registration for, and to install, an automated dispensing system at a long term care facility. These systems allow dispensing of single dosage controlled-substance units and can mitigate the problem of excess controlled-substance stocks and disposal.

Under Board rules, an automated dispensing device may only be installed at a facility holding a pharmacy permit. A limited-service permit may be obtained for the installation of automated dispensing systems in a long-term care facility.