Published: April 2026

The Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) aims to prevent harmful drugs from entering the US supply chain, detect any incidents as soon as possible, and enable a rapid response for prompt removal.¹

In achieving this goal, DSCSA requires manufacturers and dispensers (i.e., pharmacies) to implement a fully electronic and interoperable way to identify and trace certain prescription drugs at the package level as they move through the supply chain in real time.^1,2 

After numerous delays, the FDA mandated phased DSCSA compliance by November 2025; however, some pharmacies (i.e., those with 25 or fewer full-time employees licensed as pharmacists or qualified as pharmacy technicians) received an exemption from certain enhanced drug distribution security requirements until late.³

Moving forward, the FDA has stated it does not intend to further delay DSCSA enforcement—so now is the time for leadership in all hospital and health system pharmacies to act.⁴

Interested in learning more about DSCSA and how your hospital can prepare? Fill out the form below to continue reading this article.

References

¹ Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA). US Food & Drug Administration. Updated October 16, 2025. Accessed April 6, 2026. 
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-supply-chain-integrity/drug-supply-chain-security-act-dscsa

² Spano K. DSCSA: safeguarding the drug supply chain. Accreditation Commission for Health Care. January 2, 2026. Accessed April 6, 2026. https://achc.org/dscsa-safeguarding-the-drug-supply-chain/

³ Waivers and exemptions beyond the stabilization period. US Food & Drug Administration. Updated October 9, 2024. Accessed April 6, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-supply-chain-security-act-dscsa/waivers-and-exemptions-beyond-stabilization-period 

⁴ Eglovitch JS. Cavazzoni: no more ‘kicking the can’ down the road for DSCSA compliance. Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society. May 16, 2024. Accessed April 6, 2026. https://www.raps.org/resource/cavazzoni-no-more-kicking-the-can-down-theroad-f.html