PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (PTCE)Order Entry and ProcessingMedium
A technician is preparing to dispense a prescription for a controlled substance. Which of the following is REQUIRED information to verify on the prescription label before dispensing?
- APrescriber's DEA number
- BPatient's insurance group number
- CPharmacy's NPI number
- DPatient's previous medication history
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Prescriber's DEA number
For controlled substances, the prescriber's Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) number is a mandatory identifier that must be present on the prescription and verified by the pharmacy before dispensing.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Insurance information is for billing, not a legal requirement for prescription validity.
- C. The NPI (National Provider Identifier) is for the pharmacy/prescriber, but the DEA number is specific to controlled substances.
- D. Patient history is important for clinical review but not a required element on the prescription label itself.
Controlled Substance Prescription Requirements
Specific information mandated by federal law (e.g., DEA) to be present on prescriptions for controlled substances to ensure legitimacy and prevent diversion.
- Patient's full name and address
- Date issued
- Drug name, strength, dosage form, quantity
- Directions for use
- Prescriber's full name, address, and DEA number
- Prescriber's signature
Memory trick: Verify Every Prescription Carefully, Ensuring All Details Are Present.