DEA Clarifies Requirements for Verbal Prescriptions of Controlled Substances
Physicians may issue emergency verbal prescriptions for Schedule II controlled drugs but must follow up with a written prescription within seven days, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) clarified in an August letter to physicians.
However, physicians in Pennsylvania are still required by state regulation to follow up with a written prescription within 72 hours.
Under federal regulations, emergency verbal prescriptions must be communicated directly from a physician or other DEA-registered provider to a pharmacist, the DEA wrote. A physician cannot relay the prescription to, for example, a nurse who calls the prescription in to the pharmacy.
Physicians may only issue emergency verbal prescriptions if the patient needs the medication immediately, there are no other available treatment alternatives, and it is not reasonable for the physician to provide a written prescription.
If a physician does not follow up with a written prescription in seven days after authorizing the prescription, pharmacists are obligated to report the physician to the DEA.
Last Updated: 11/23/2009