How does the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy define the "diversion" of controlled substances?

The definition of "diversion" of controlled substances by the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy encompasses unauthorized use or transfer of medication. This broad definition acknowledges that diversion can occur in various forms, such as when medications are accessed by individuals who are not permitted to use them, including employees, patients, or even individuals outside the healthcare setting.

Diverging from the correct definition, the other options present narrower or inaccurate interpretations. For instance, merely transferring medication between pharmacies does not in itself constitute diversion unless it involves unauthorized actions. The illegal sale of controlled substances is also a part of diversion but is more specific and does not encompass all scenarios of unauthorized use. Lastly, theft of medications, while it represents a form of diversion, is just one aspect of a larger issue, failing to capture the full scope of what divergence entails under the broader definition provided by the Board.