Oklahoma News: Update on E-Signatures

January 1, 2009 8:49 AM Topics: Controlled substances and Electronic prescriptions

Published in the January 2009 Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter

Electronic signatures for noncontrolled prescriptions are considered valid. E-mailed Schedule III to V controlled prescriptions must contain a manual signature to be valid at this time. If they are not manually signed, then you must validate the prescription. Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics rules currently allow this but Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) does not. DEA is in the process of writing rules to allow electronic signatures on controlled substance prescriptions. Faxed and/or walk-in Schedule III to V controlled prescriptions must bear the actual signature of the prescriber. If the prescription does not bear the signature or states “e-signature on file,” then the pharmacy may call the prescriber and treat the prescription as a phoned-in prescription.
This is an update to the information that was printed in the January 2008 Newsletter.