- Actions to take for DSCSA
Actions to take for DSCSA
8 min read
On Oct. 9, 2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced new deadlines for DSCSA compliance for eligible manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies (FDA Exemption). The FDA Exemption describes criteria and conditions for manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies to be eligible for new deadlines for DSCSA compliance.
The FDA Exemption applies to in-scope products transacted by “eligible trading partners,” as described and subject to the conditions in the FDA Exemption. McKesson intends to utilize the FDA exemption as a wholesale distributor, as permitted by the FDA exemption.
FDA Granted Exemptions
For eligible trading partners that meet the FDA Exemption’s conditions, the FDA granted exemptions from certain DSCSA requirements until the following dates:
- For manufacturers and repackagers, May 27, 2025.
- For wholesale distributors, Aug. 27, 2025,
- For dispensers with 26 or more pharmacists and technicians, Nov. 27, 2025.
Dispensers with 25 or fewer pharmacists and technicians were previously exempted until November 2026.
As your trusted distributor, McKesson will provide guidance to help prepare you for DSCSA implementation. There are actions that you must take to ensure that you are fully compliant and prepared for DSCSA implementation.
- You must have access to your historical DSCSA transaction data. In the near future, your DSCSA transaction data will be accessible through the backend of McKesson ordering portals or in your in-house or third-party systems if you request information to be transferred there.
- You should be prepared to track ownership of a product and respond to regulators. All trading partners, including customers, should be ready to respond directly to regulators if asked about serial DSCSA transaction information and statements upon request. McKesson is not authorized to speak on your behalf but will have the information readily available via the ordering portals or within your in-house or third-party systems.
- Be alert for Suspect Products and have procedures in place to identify them according to DSCSA requirements. You should evaluate all product within your possession and control for suspect product indications, including but not limited to incorporating monitoring of the bar code and serial number into your processes and sharing information with up and downstream trading partners. Have a standard operating procedure for your suspect product.
- You are in charge of reporting to the FDA. If, after conducting an investigation, you find that a product is illegitimate, you will need to report the issue to the FDA and notify your trading partners.
- Please watch the latest episode of our new DSCSA webisode series featuring our McKesson and DSCSA industry expert, Scott Mooney, who will thoroughly explain the actions you need to take to prepare for DSCSA implementation.
- Continue to refine your processes to prepare for DSCSA implementation. The FDA expects all parties to continue progressing toward stabilization and maturing systems during the one-year Stabilization Period. The FDA will continue to enforce the other DSCSA requirements during this Stabilization Period. We will be with you every step of the way as you prepare for implementation.
We will share more information and videos in the coming months to assist you. If you have additional DSCSA-related questions, please contact your Account Executive or Customer Service Representative.
Customers may also send an email to MMStraceability@mckesson.com