PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (PTCE)Federal RequirementsHard
A patient calls the pharmacy asking if they can get an early refill on their Adderall XR (C-II) prescription because they are going on a two-week vacation. The patient states they only have a few days' supply left. According to federal law, what is the maximum number of days' supply a prescriber can provide for a Schedule II controlled substance through multiple prescriptions issued on the same day?
- A60 days
- B90 days
- C120 days
- D30 days
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 90 days
Federal law allows a prescriber to issue multiple prescriptions for a Schedule II controlled substance on the same day, provided each prescription indicates a 'do not fill before' date, and the total quantity does not exceed a 90-day supply.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This is not a recognized federal limit for this specific scenario.
- C. This exceeds the federal limit for C-II prescriptions issued on the same day.
- D. This is typically the standard maximum for a single C-II prescription without 'do not fill before' instructions.
Multiple C-II Prescriptions
Federal law allows prescribers to issue multiple prescriptions for a Schedule II controlled substance on the same day for a total extended supply.
- Permitted for up to a 90-day total supply.
- Each separate prescription (after the initial one) must include a 'do not fill before' date.
- Must be for a legitimate medical purpose by a practitioner acting in the usual course of professional practice.
- This addresses the 'no refills' rule for C-II drugs.
Memory trick: C-II: No refills, but 90-day supply is possible with staggered 'do not fill before' dates.