Article
Authorization for Emergency Dispensing
An emergency situation means those situations that:
- immediate administration of the controlled substance listed in schedule II is necessary;
- no appropriate alternative treatment is available; and
- it is not reasonably possible for the prescriber to provide a written prescription.
In case of an emergency situation, a pharmacist may dispense a controlled substance listed as a schedule II upon receiving oral authorization of a prescribing practitioner, provided the following:
- the quantity prescribed and dispensed is limited to the amount adequate to treat the patient during the emergency period only;
- the prescription shall be immediately reduced to writing by the pharmacist;
- if the prescribing individual practitioner is not known to the pharmacist, s/he must make reasonable effort to determine that the oral authorization came from a registered individual practitioner; and
- within seven (7) days after authorizing he emergency oral prescription, the prescriber shall cause a written prescription for the emergency quantity prescribed to be delivered to the dispensing pharmacist. The prescription shall have "Authorization for Emergency Dispensing" written on it face and the date of the oral order. The written prescription may be delivered to the pharmacist in person or by mail; if by mail, it must be postmarked within the seven (7) day period. The pharmacist shall notify the Board of Pharmacy if the prescriber fails to deliver the written prescription.