Vermont News: Tamper-Resistant Prescription Pads Postponed to April 2008

December 1, 2007 1:39 PM Topics: Tamper resistant prescription

Published in the December 2007 Vermont Board of Pharmacy Newsletter

Until the requirement for tamper-resistant prescription pads is implemented, the Board is considering, as part of its rules, revision of the following. This is a draft proposal only, but may serve as a guide to what practitioners could expect.

Non-verbal, non-electronic prescriptions must bear the signature of the prescriber.
Prescription drug order forms: Handwritten prescriptions must be written on a tamper-resistant prescription pad, which must:

1) prevent unauthorized copying of completed or blank prescription form; 

2) prevent erasure or modification of information written on the prescription by the prescriber; or 

3) prevent the use of counterfeit prescription forms.

Each prescription must, at a minimum, have the following properties:

(a) a colored background with a watermark;

(b) when photocopied read “VOID” in the background; and

(c) printed on it the name of the prescriber or hospital identification and batch numbering with serially numbered pages for prescriptions.

Note: Pads that currently are in use by the Narcotic Abuse Prevention Project in Rutland, VT, meet the requirements of this draft rule.
Loss of any prescription pads should be immediately reported to local law enforcement officials and to the Board of Pharmacy.

DEA: www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov.

Office of Professional Regulation, Board of Pharmacy: www .vtprofessionals.org.