Kansas News: Changes on a Schedule II Prescription

March 1, 2009 4:16 pm Topics: Controlled substances and Prescriptions

Published in the March 2009 Kansas State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter

On November 19, 2007, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) published in the Federal Register the Final Rule entitled Issuance of Multiple Prescriptions for Schedule II Controlled Substances (72 FR 64921). The rule stated that “the essential elements of the [Schedule II] prescription written by the practitioner may not be modified orally.”
This rule is in opposition to DEA’s previous policy, which permitted a pharmacist to change or add the dosage form, drug strength, drug quantity, directions for use, or issue date after consultation with and agreement of the prescribing practitioner. DEA recognized the resulting confusion regarding the conflict and it plans to resolve this matter through a future rule. Until that time, pharmacists are instructed to adhere to state regulations or policy regarding those changes that a pharmacist may make to a Schedule II prescription after oral consultation with the prescriber. 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. For a list of changes that are acceptable visit the “Frequently Asked Questions” section of the Web site at www.kansas.gov/ pharmacy or check the DEA Diversion Web site.