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Washington News: Tamper-Resistant Prescription Requirements
Published in the January 2008 Washington State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter
Starting April 1, 2008, all written Medicaid prescriptions for fee-for-service program patients must be written on tamper-resistant prescription pads. This is required by federal standards. This includes prescriptions where Medicaid is the primary or secondary payer. Note: other restrictions may apply.
The federal rules require that the tamper-resistant paper comply with one of the following criteria:
- Prevent copying – example, shows the word “void” when copied.
- Prevent altering – example, chemical stains or an altered background show attempts at ink or toner removal.
- Prevent counterfeiting – example, prescriptions have a watermark and can not be reproduced.
After October 1, 2008, prescriptions must comply with all three characteristics.
Prescriptions communicated by telephone, fax, or electronically to the pharmacy are exempt. If the written prescription does not meet the federal standards, the pharmacists must show the prescriber was contacted by telephone, fax, or e-mail to verify the prescription. Records, including document for noncompliant prescriptions, must be kept for six years based on Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) rules.
For further questions or concerns, contact the Medical Assistance Customer Service Center of DSHS. Use its toll-free help line, 1-800/562-3022 or visit the pharmacy section of the Web site http://maa.dshs.wa.gov/pharmacy.
