2 Authority to Prescribe and Dispensing Restrictions Free Online FlashCards

How do federal controlled-substance rules relate to stricter state rules?

Federal rules are a baseline; practitioners and pharmacists must also follow any stricter applicable state requirements.

What authority must a practitioner have to prescribe a controlled substance?

The practitioner must be authorized under the jurisdiction where licensed, act within the scope of that authority, and be DEA-registered or exempt from registration.

What makes a controlled-substance prescription legitimate, and who must assess it?

The prescription must serve a legitimate medical purpose and be issued in the usual course of professional practice. Pharmacists share responsibility for assessing its legitimacy before dispensing.

What core information must a federally valid controlled-substance prescription contain?

It must include the issue date and signature, patient’s full name and address, drug name, strength, dosage form, quantity, directions, and practitioner’s name, address, and DEA number, subject to exemptions.

Can Schedule I substances be routinely prescribed for medical treatment under federal law?

Federal law does not permit routine prescribing of Schedule I substances for medical treatment; they have no currently accepted medical use under federal scheduling criteria.

Can a Schedule II prescription be refilled?

No. A Schedule II prescription cannot be refilled; a later supply requires a new prescription.

When may multiple Schedule II prescriptions cover up to a 90-day supply?

A practitioner may issue multiple prescriptions totaling up to a 90-day supply if each is legitimate, state law allows it, and required clinical and diversion-risk judgments are made. This is permission, not an automatic supply.

What federal refill limits apply to Schedules III and IV?

They may be refilled no more than five times and no later than six months after issuance, whichever limit comes first.

What should be checked before assuming federal refill limits for Schedule V?

Federal law requires dispensing Schedule V substances only for a medical purpose. Check state law, prescription authorization, and product-specific rules rather than assuming the Schedules III–IV refill limits apply.

When may a pharmacist accept an oral Schedule II authorization?

Only a qualifying emergency permits an oral Schedule II authorization; inconvenience alone is insufficient. The pharmacist must record required information and dispense only enough for the emergency period.

What follow-up is required after emergency oral Schedule II authorization?

The practitioner must provide a compliant follow-up written prescription within seven days, marked “Authorization for Emergency Dispensing” and dated with the oral authorization.

What conditions govern a one-time initial transfer of an electronic Schedule II–V prescription?

At a patient’s request, an electronic Schedule II–V prescription may be transferred once for initial dispensing if law allows. It must remain electronic, pass directly between licensed pharmacists, and remain unaltered.