Delivering cold and flu medicine orders with Dextromethorphan

Updated 5 days ago by Dave Jurgens

Dextromethorphan (a.k.a., Dex) is a cough suppressant used in some over-the-counter cold and flu medications. Depending on your specific location, you may receive offers for Dex deliveries.

This information is intended to help you act in accordance with state and local regulations regarding the sale and delivery of medicines containing Dex.

Which customers may receive Dex deliveries?

State laws require customers to be at least 18 years old to receive Dex deliveries. Customers must show a valid government-issued photo ID to drivers to confirm they are at least 18 years old at the time of delivery. Valid forms of identification:

  • Are government issued
  • Include a photo that matches the customer
  • Lists the customer’s date of birth
  • Have an expiration date and are not expired

How do I confirm a customer’s ID is valid?

Dex delivery customers are required to present a valid photo ID, which should be removed from a wallet, purse, etc., so it may be inspected and scanned into the Spark Driver™ app (screenshots to follow below).

Here is some helpful information on confirming the legitimacy of customer IDs:

  • There can be visual differences between the customer and the individual in the photo, but facial features including eye shape and color, nose and ear shape, or any special facial features like birthmarks or scars, should be the same.
  • Physical characteristics such as weight, hair, and makeup may change with time and do not require as much scrutiny.
  • Legitimate ID cards have smooth, uniform edges.
  • Fake ID cards often have uneven edges and may have bumpy surfaces or glue marks.

Here are some helpful tips for delivering orders containing Dex

  • When you’re at the customer’s door, the scan prompt is ready to capture the driver's license or state-issued identification card. To verify the customer’s date of birth, you can scan the front of the customer’s ID.  
  • The ID details appear most clearly when customer IDs are scanned in a well-lit area and the camera is aimed at the numbers/letters.
  • Once scanned, the customer's date of birth and the expiration date of the ID auto-populate in the app. You can easily check to ensure the information matches what is shown on the customer’s ID.
  • Once the ID details are captured, pressing CUSTOMER SIGNATURE moves to the next step of the delivery and the signature is required to complete the order.
  • After scanning the order labels and the ID, sliding the COMPLETE DROP-OFF bar will finalize the delivery.  
If you're having trouble scanning the ID, the information can be manually entered by pressing the keyboard icon in the top-right corner of the app.
New Hampshire law prohibits scanning government ID barcodes. Information can be manually entered into the app instead of scanning.
If the customer is underage or provides an expired ID, the app will display an ORDER RETURN to help you return the order to the store.

What if I think a customer or a location shouldn’t receive an order containing Dex?

Using good judgment and erring on the side of caution to meet state and local law requirements is an important part of navigating a Dex delivery order.

An ORDER RETURN can be triggered in the app for orders containing alcohol when you have doubts about the delivery appropriateness, including if:

  • A Dex order appears to be intended for resale
  • The customer fails to provide valid identification showing they are 18 years or older

As always, Driver Support is available to provide guidance and assistance with any additional questions.

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