PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (PTCE)Federal RequirementsHard
A pharmacy technician is processing a prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance for a patient in a long-term care facility (LTCF). The prescription was faxed to the pharmacy. According to federal regulations, what is the federal requirement for dispensing a faxed Schedule II prescription to an LTCF patient?
- AThe prescriber must verbally confirm the faxed prescription with the pharmacist.
- BA hard copy of the prescription must be received by the pharmacy before dispensing.
- CThe faxed prescription can serve as the original for dispensing.
- DThe faxed prescription is only valid for a 72-hour emergency supply.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. The faxed prescription can serve as the original for dispensing.
Federal regulations permit a faxed Schedule II prescription to serve as the original written prescription for patients residing in a Long-Term Care Facility (LTCF) or for a patient enrolled in a hospice care program. This exception is made to facilitate timely access to medication for these vulnerable populations.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. While verbal confirmation might be good practice, it's not a federal requirement for a faxed S-II to an LTCF patient; the fax itself is sufficient.
- B. Incorrect. For LTCF patients, the faxed prescription itself is considered the original.
- D. This rule applies to emergency oral Schedule II prescriptions, not faxed prescriptions for LTCF patients.
Faxed C-II Rx Exception (LTCF)
Federal law allows a faxed prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance to serve as the original written prescription for patients residing in a Long-Term Care Facility (LTCF) or for patients enrolled in a hospice care program.
- Applies to LTCF and hospice patients.
- Faxed copy is considered the original.
- Facilitates timely access to medication.
Memory trick: Faxed C-II: For LTCF or Hospice, it's Fine, No Original Required.