Pharmacy Prescription Requirements

Issues of Concern

Controlled substances are prescribed by a variety of clinicians, including physicians, dentists, advanced practice providers, and podiatrists. The prescribing practitioner must possess authorization from the DEA and have practicing rights within the prescribed origin's given location.

If there is any confusion for the pharmacist as to the reason for a prescription, or there are any other questions for the provider, then the pharmacist should contact the provider directly. A 2017 study showed that of all medications requiring clarification, 74% were new prescriptions, and only 36% of those needing clarification were electronically prescribed. The most frequent reasons for the pharmacist to contact the prescriber were for prior authorization approvals and missing prescription information. The study found that telephone contact was the most efficient means to correct these miscommunications.[6] A pharmacist can call the prescriber for most omitted information in a prescription; some parts of prescription information cannot be added through calling (eg, patient name).

Pharmacists play a crucial role in helping to limit the fraud that may occur; examples of potentially fraudulent activity are:[4][2]

• Stealing a clinician's prescription pad
• Calling in medications pretending to be a clinician
• Altering a pre-existing prescription

It is important to remember that states may pass laws that alter how they govern the prescription requirements for different medications. An example of this is marijuana, which at a federal level is considered a Schedule I drug, whereas some states permit its medical use and distribution. Pharmacists and practitioners should know the legislation within their jurisdiction to provide appropriate patient care.[1]

However, state law is often more stringent than federal law. An example is drug monitoring systems for opioid prescriptions. Prescription drug monitoring programs are conducted state-by-state and are an electronic database of information on prescriptions filled within that state. The purpose of these monitoring programs is to limit drug abuse and addiction. Most states have a fully operating monitoring program.[7]

Clinical Significance

Partial fills of Schedule II controlled substances (like opioids) are to be dispensed if requested by either the patient or the provider, with the condition that the remaining portion of the prescription must be filled within 30 days from the written date; the pharmacist must note on the written prescription or the electronic record how many tablets or capsules were dispensed. 

Partial filling for a schedule II may also occur for patients in long-term care facilities or a patient with a terminal illness so that the partial filling may be an individual dose; the pharmacist must document that the patient is terminally ill or in a long-term care placement before partially filling the medication. The remaining portion of the prescription should be filled within 60 days from the prescription date unless the prescription is terminated because the drug is no longer necessary.[1]

Schedule III-V medications can be partially filled within six months of the original prescription.[1]

A 2017 study found a significant reduction in prescription errors for patients discharged from emergency departments when medications were prescribed electronically versus handwritten. The specific findings were that electronic prescriptions demonstrated decreased incidence of missed dosages, inaccurate frequency of medication, incorrect dosage strength, and the overall ability to read the document (eg, some clinician's handwriting was illegible).[8]

Nursing, Allied Health, and Interprofessional Team Interventions

The healthcare team needs to work together to address safe and effective pharmacotherapy in their patients, especially with controlled substances. The healthcare team should schedule their patients for routine follow-up visits that include a history and physical exam to monitor for adverse drug effects and drug misuse. Monitoring for signs of drug misuse is a fundamental responsibility for the healthcare team because of the epidemic rates of drug misuse worldwide. Methods for monitoring drug abuse as well as drug diversion include assessment surveys, state prescription drug monitoring programs, urine screening, adherence checklists, motivational counseling, and dosage form counting (eg, tablet counting). Pharmacists and other health care providers can prescribe and dispense naloxone for qualifying patients through standing orders to save lives.[9]

Nursing, Allied Health, and Interprofessional Team Monitoring

Prescribers and pharmacists must verify all essential elements of prescription writing and verification to dispense the correct medication. The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) constitutes a sophisticated electronic database that enables the accurate tracking and monitoring of prescriptions for controlled substances. Clinicians and pharmacists use this system to identify suspicious or unusual patterns in prescription drug use, which might indicate misuse or illegal activity. PDMP programs have been shown to prevent prescription drug misuse and overdose. According to CDC guidelines, the healthcare team must ensure that a new opioid prescription does not increase the risk of cumulative opioid overdose or dangerous medication combinations for the patient.[10][11]