Us Code § 356f - Hospital repackaging of drugs in shortage

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 356f — Hospital repackaging of drugs in shortage, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 356f. Hospital repackaging of drugs in shortage

(a) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Drug

The term "drug" excludes any controlled substance (as such term is defined in section 802 of this title).

(2) Health system

The term "health system" means a collection of hospitals that are owned and operated by the same entity and that share access to databases with drug order information for their patients.

(3) Repackage

For the purposes of this section only, the term "repackage", with respect to a drug, means to divide the volume of a drug into smaller amounts in order to—

(A) extend the supply of a drug in response to the placement of the drug on a drug shortage list under section 356e of this title; and

(B) facilitate access to the drug by hospitals within the same health system.

(b) Exclusion from registration

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a hospital shall not be considered an establishment for which registration is required under section 360 of this title solely because it repackages a drug and transfers it to another hospital within the same health system in accordance with the conditions in subsection (c)—

(1) during any period in which the drug is listed on the drug shortage list under section 356e of this title; or

(2) during the 60-day period following any period described in paragraph (1).

(c) Conditions

Subsection (b) shall only apply to a hospital, with respect to the repackaging of a drug for transfer to another hospital within the same health system, if the following conditions are met:

(1) Drug for intrasystem use only

In no case may a drug that has been repackaged in accordance with this section be sold or otherwise distributed by the health system or a hospital within the system to an entity or individual that is not a hospital within such health system.

(2) Compliance with State rules

Repackaging of a drug under this section shall be done in compliance with applicable State requirements of each State in which the drug is repackaged and received.

(d) Termination

This section shall not apply on or after the date on which the Secretary issues final guidance that clarifies the policy of the Food and Drug Administration regarding hospital pharmacies repackaging and safely transferring repackaged drugs to other hospitals within the same health system during a drug shortage.

(June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §506F, as added Pub. L. 112–144, title X, §1007, July 9, 2012, 126 Stat. 1106.)

About This Section

21 U.S.C. § 356f is part of Title 21 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 21 U.S.C. § 356f. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 356f

What does United States Code § 356f cover?

Section 356f ("Hospital repackaging of drugs in shortage") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 356f?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 356f" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 356f apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

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