As stated in the requirements of a prescription form, a
prescription must state the date of issue. Postdating prescriptions is prohibited in California and by
federal law. For Schedule II
drugs, practitioners may write several prescriptions for a patient to be filled
sequentially for the same drug.
The prescriptions may not cover more than a 90-day supply and must
include the earliest date the pharmacy may fill each one.
According to state law, a controlled substance prescription
expires six months after the date of issuance. Pharmacists must be alert when refills for controlled
prescriptions are presented. The
length of delay in filling a prescription must also be considered. A prescription for a condition that
would typically require immediate filling that is presented to the pharmacy
several months after issuance would warrant contacting the prescriber.
Partial Fills
Time limits are also important during partial fills of
controlled medications. Partial
fills of Schedule II substances must be noted on the order and the remainder
may only be filled within 72 hours after the initial partial fill. If the remainder cannot be filled
within the 72 hours, the remainder is forfeited and the prescriber must be
notified.
For Schedule III-V prescriptions, partial fills are dealt with in the same manner as refills (see "Filling Prescriptions" tab above). The total quantity dispensed may not exceed the original and it must be dispensed within 6 months.
Regular partial filling of a Schedule II prescription is permitted when the order is for a diagnosed and documented terminal illness or for a patient in a long-term care facility. The prescription must be presented for initial filling within 60 days of its issuance, and no portion may be dispensed 60 days after the issue date. The type of patient, date, amount of each partial fill and the identity of the dispensing pharmacist must be recorded on the back of the original prescription. If the status of the patient is not documented, the prescription will be deemed to have been filled illegally.
For Schedule III-V prescriptions, partial fills are dealt with in the same manner as refills (see "Filling Prescriptions" tab above). The total quantity dispensed may not exceed the original and it must be dispensed within 6 months.
Regular partial filling of a Schedule II prescription is permitted when the order is for a diagnosed and documented terminal illness or for a patient in a long-term care facility. The prescription must be presented for initial filling within 60 days of its issuance, and no portion may be dispensed 60 days after the issue date. The type of patient, date, amount of each partial fill and the identity of the dispensing pharmacist must be recorded on the back of the original prescription. If the status of the patient is not documented, the prescription will be deemed to have been filled illegally.
Picture Source: http://www.horizonblue.com/members/health-wellness/newsletters/healthy-horizons/Medication-Therapy
