MO HealthNet has received several questions regarding telephoning a prescription for controlled substances due to the COVID19 Pandemic.
E-Prescribing is allowed for all schedules if in compliance with BNDD/DEA requirements.
The requirements of a telephoned controlled substance prescription are BNDD/DEA requirements and are not under the authority of MO HealthNet. For your reference, the requirements are below for a CII prescription to be called in to a pharmacy:
§1306.11 Requirement of prescription.
(d) In the case of an emergency situation, as defined by the Secretary in §290.10 of this title, a pharmacist may dispense a controlled substance listed in Schedule II upon receiving oral authorization of a prescribing individual practitioner, provided that:
(1) The quantity prescribed and dispensed is limited to the amount adequate to treat the patient during the emergency period (dispensing beyond the emergency period must be pursuant to a paper or electronic prescription signed by the prescribing individual practitioner);
(2) The prescription shall be immediately reduced to writing by the pharmacist and shall contain all information required in §1306.05, except for the signature of the prescribing individual practitioner;
(3) If the prescribing individual practitioner is not known to the pharmacist, he must make a reasonable effort to determine that the oral authorization came from a registered individual practitioner, which may include a callback to the prescribing individual practitioner using his phone number as listed in the telephone directory and/or other good faith efforts to insure his identity; and
(4) Within 7 days after authorizing an emergency oral prescription, the prescribing individual practitioner shall cause a written prescription for the emergency quantity prescribed to be delivered to the dispensing pharmacist. In addition to conforming to the requirements of §1306.05, the prescription shall have written on its face “Authorization for Emergency Dispensing,” and the date of the oral order. The paper prescription may be delivered to the pharmacist in person or by mail, but if delivered by mail it must be postmarked within the 7-day period. Upon receipt, the dispensing pharmacist must attach this paper prescription to the oral emergency prescription that had earlier been reduced to writing. For electronic prescriptions, the pharmacist must annotate the record of the electronic prescription with the original authorization and date of the oral order. The pharmacist must notify the nearest office of the Administration if the prescribing individual practitioner fails to deliver a written prescription to him; failure of the pharmacist to do so shall void the authority conferred by this paragraph to dispense without a written prescription of a prescribing individual practitioner.
(5) Central fill pharmacies shall not be authorized under this paragraph to prepare prescriptions for a controlled substance listed in Schedule II upon receiving an oral authorization from a retail pharmacist or an individual practitioner.
For further guidance, please contact BNDD at bndd@health.mo.gov or DEA at ODLP@usdoj.gov.