Controlled Substances Part 3: Prescribing and Dispensing

Question 1

Which controlled substance schedules (if any) can each type of mid-level practitioner prescribe?

Answer 1

Naturopathic Physician: II-V

Nurse Practitioner: II-V

Optometrist: III-V, hydrocodone-containing schedule II drugs)

Physician Assistant: III-V and schedule II if allowed by the practice agreement

Question 2

Which drugs are collected in the state’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP)?

Answer 2

Schedule II, III and IV drugs

Naloxone and gabapentin are also reported

Question 3

In what timeframe must a pharmacy submit the records of dispensed controlled substances to the state’s PDMP?

Answer 3

Within 72 hours

Question 4

Which healthcare professionals are authorized to access the prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP)?

Answer 4

Oregon-licensed prescribers, pharmacists and their staff may be authorized for an account to access the PDMP system. Licensed healthcare providers from bordering states can apply for access.

Question 5

Can controlled and non-controlled drugs be written on the same prescription form?

Answer 5

Not addressed in the state law.

Question 6

Is there a limit to the number of medications that can be written on one prescription form?

Answer 6

Not addressed in the state law

Question 7

Other than prescriptions for Medicaid patients, do any prescriptions require tamper-resistant security forms?

Answer 7

No

Question 8

What security elements must be present on tamper-resistant security forms?

Answer 8

Follows federal law
1. One or more industry-recognized features to prevent unauthorized copying.
2. One or more industry-recognized features to prevent the erasure or modification of the information.
3. One or more industry-recognized features to prevent the use of counterfeit prescription forms.

Question 9

What changes can be made, at the pharmacist’s discretion, to schedule II prescriptions?

Answer 9

Not addressed in Oregon law

Question 10

What changes can be made, at the pharmacist’s discretion, to schedule III - V prescriptions?

Answer 10

Not addressed in Oregon law

Question 11

Is there a time limit (i.e., days/months) that a schedule II prescription must be filled from the date of issue?

Answer 11

No

Question 12

Is there a maximum quantity or days’ supply that a patient can receive of a schedule II drug?

Answer 12

No

Question 13

Are partial fills for schedule II prescriptions permitted at the request of the patient or prescriber?

Answer 13

Yes

Question 14

Are there any additional requirements for an emergency oral schedule II prescription compared to federal law?

Answer 14

No, Oregon follows the federal law

Question 15

What is the time limit (i.e., months) that schedule III - V prescriptions must be filled from the date of issue?

Answer 15

6 months

Question 16

Is there a maximum quantity or days’ supply that a patient can receive of schedule III - V drugs?

Answer 16

No

Question 17

How long are refills valid for schedule III, IV and V prescriptions?

Answer 17

6 months from the issue date

Question 18

What is the maximum number of refills allowed for schedule III, IV and V substances?

Answer 18

Can not be refilled more than 5 times

Question 19

Can a pharmacist provide an emergency filling of schedule III - V drugs without the prescriber’s authorization?

Answer 19

No

Question 20

Is patient identification required to dispense controlled drugs?

Answer 20

No

Question 21

Are pharmacists permitted to sell select schedule V cough syrups without a prescription?

Answer 21

No

Question 22

Is naloxone distribution by a pharmacist permissible in all situations, or is it pursuant to a standing order, a protocol or authorization from a prescriber?

Answer 22

Legally permissible in all cases

Question 23

Are there requirements that the pharmacist must meet in order to prescribe naloxone (e.g., training program)?

Answer 23

No