Ohio News: What is a Valid Signature on a Prescription

November 1, 2007 8:31 am Topics: Prescriptions

Published in the November 2007 Ohio State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter

Please remember that rule 4729-5-30 (Manner of Issuance of a Prescription) of the Ohio Administrative Code requires that all hard-copy (written) prescriptions must be manually signed by the prescriber. If a patient arrives with a prescription that has a computer-generated signature, a rubber-stamped signature, or a signature that has the format of prescriber’s name/office nurse’s signature, the prescription is not valid and must be verified prior to dispensing. Of course, if it is a prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance, it may not be filled without the manual signature.