Montana News: Changing Information on Schedule II

October 1, 2007 11:21 AM Topics: Controlled substances and Prescribing authority

Reprinted from the October 2007 Montana Board of Pharmacy Newsletter.

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) provides information on what can be changed or added to a Schedule II controlled substance prescription by a pharmacist.

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 by the pharmacist. 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 to the extent permitted by state law), or the prescriber’s signature.

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