Here is information that you may want to pass on to your members. The questions with answers came from the DEA Diversion website (www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov) and can be found under INFO & LEGAL RESOURCES and double click QUESTIONS & ANSWERS.
Question: Is it permissible to dispense a prescription for a quantity less than the face amount prescribed resulting in a greater number of dispensations than the number of refills indicated on the prescription?
Answer: Yes. Partial refills of schedules III and IV controlled substance prescriptions are permissible under federal regulations provided that each partial filling is dispensed and recorded in the same manner as a refilling (i.e., date refilled, amount dispensed, initials of dispensing pharmacist, etc.), the total quantity dispensed in all partial fillings does not exceed the total quantity prescribed, and no dispensing occurs after six months past the date of issue.
Question: What changes may a pharmacist make to a prescription written for a controlled substance in schedule II?
Answer: On November 19, 2007, the DEA published in the Federal Register (FR) the Final Rule entitled Issuance of Multiple Prescriptions for Schedule II Controlled Substances (72 FR 64921). In the preamble to that Rule, DEA stated that "the essential elements of the [schedule II] prescription written by the practitioner (such as the name of the controlled substance, strength, dosage form, and quantity prescribed)…may not be modified orally."
Question: What changes may a pharmacist make to a prescription written for a controlled substance in schedules III-V?
Answer: The pharmacist may add or change the patient’s address upon verification. The pharmacist may add or change the dosage form, drug strength, drug quantity, directions for use, or issue date only after consultation with and agreement of the prescribing practitioner. Such consultations and corresponding changes should be noted by the pharmacist on the prescription. Pharmacists and practitioners must comply with any state/local laws, regulations, or policies prohibiting any of these changes to controlled substance prescriptions.
The pharmacist is never permitted to make changes to the patient’s name, controlled substance prescribed (except for generic substitution permitted by state law) or the prescriber’s signature.
Carlos M. Aquino
Compliance Consultant
PharmaDiversion LLC
1167 West Baltimore Pike, Suite 231
Media PA 19063
PHONE: (610) 487-4663
Email: carlos@pharmadiversion.com
Website: www.pharmadiversion.com