e-Profile Login and ID Quick Search
New Mexico News: Controlled Substance Prescriptions
Published in the March 2007 New Mexico Board of Pharmacy Newsletter
Lately, forged prescriptions for either large quantities or high strengths of both OxyContin® and Percocet® have been presented to be filled. The presenters are often young adults or juveniles that are willing to pay cash for the prescriptions. In some cases, the prescription may cost $500 to $800.
In today’s world, paying cash for a CS prescription is unusual, especially for large quantities. I am requesting that pharmacists ask for a government issued identification on prescriptions for CS that appear to be unusual and that the identification number be written on the prescription whether the prescription is written or telephoned. Examples of unusual CS prescriptions may be as described above or a prescription that is written by an emergency room doctor for 120 tablets of Percocet 10/325, a quantity of hydrocodone/acetaminophen (APAP) that appears large for a typical dental procedure, or a telephoned prescription when the caller seems nervous or cannot readily provide you with the information that you need.
Obviously, the first thing you should do is call and verify that the practitioner issued the prescription. Getting identification, especially if the prescription is forged, altered, fraudulently telephoned in, etc, is a big help in the prosecution of the individuals who obtain CS illegally. Also, asking for identification often will cause the person to “go and get their identification” and often not return. The Board has also asked me to draft a regulation to be presented at the next Board meeting requiring identification before any new, written, or telephoned CS prescription is dispensed. Identification is required to purchase pseudoephedrine, alcohol, and to vote. I suspect the customers will adjust quickly.
