Idaho News: Changes Pharmacists May Make to Schedule II Prescriptions

December 1, 2008 4:33 PM Topics: Controlled substances and Prescriptions

Published in the December 2008 Idaho State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter

On November 19, 2007, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) stated in a preamble to the Final Rule on Issuance of Multiple Prescriptions for Schedule II Controlled Substances that “the essential elements of the schedule II prescription written by a practitioner i.e. the name of the controlled substance, strength, dosage form and quantity prescribed may not be modified orally.” However, those instructions are in direct opposition to current DEA and Idaho State Board of Pharmacy policy regarding changes a pharmacist may make to a Schedule II prescription after oral consultation with the prescriber. Current Board of Pharmacy policy allows a pharmacist to change or add the dosage form, issue date, drug strength, drug quantity, and directions for use only after consultation with and agreement of the prescribing practitioner.
Until such time as DEA resolves this matter through future rulemaking, pharmacists are instructed to adhere to existing Board of Pharmacy policy, as outlined above.