Minnesota News: Changing Information on Schedule II Prescriptions

October 1, 2007 12:44 PM Topics: Controlled substances

Reprinted from the October 2007 Minnesota Board of Pharmacy Newsletter.

Board staff members are often asked about what information can be changed (or added) to a Schedule II prescription
by a pharmacist. The following answer, which is posted on the Board’s Web site, is from the United States Drug Enforcement
Administration.

The majority of changes can be made only after the pharmacist contacts the prescribing practitioner. After consultation
with the prescribing practitioner, the pharmacist is permitted to change the patient’s address, drug strength, drug quantity
and directions for use. The pharmacist is permitted to make information additions that may be provided by the patient
or bearer such as the patient’s address, and such additions should be verified. The pharmacist may also add the dosage
form to the prescription order after verification with the prescribing practitioner.

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. These types of changes challenge the
necessity of the original prescription and would require a new prescription from the prescribing practitioner.