Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances FAQs

• Are oral or facsimile (fax) prescriptions for controlled substances still permitted for Schedule III, IV, or V medications? 
• Are oral prescriptions for controlled substances still permitted for Schedule II medications? 
• Can a prescriber use a stamp on a paper, facsimile (fax), or telephone prescription to indicate to the pharmacist what exemption is being used? 
• Can a pharmacy technician verify that a prescriber has an exemption from Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances? 
• Can a prescriber use a stamp on a paper, facsimile (fax), or telephone prescription to indicate to the pharmacist what exemption is being used? 
• Do all pharmacies in Connecticut have to accept electronic prescriptions? 
• Do I have to purchase software to comply with Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances? 
• Does an electronic prescription require a written follow-up prescription to be sent to the pharmacy? 
• Does electronic prescribing of controlled substances apply to medication orders for patients within a hospital? 
• What should I do if my Electronic Health Record has temporary periods of “downtime” or temporary periods of time where Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances is unavailable? 
• What exceptions exist for Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substance (EPCS)? 
• How do prescribers know if their software is compliant with the requirements for Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances? 
• As a pharmacist, how do I know if a prescriber has applied for the exemption from the EPCS requirement? 
• Is an electronic facsimile of a prescription considered an electronic prescription? 
• Is an intern or resident training in the practice of medicine or dentistry required to comply with the Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances law? 
• Does an electronic prescription require a written follow-up prescription to be sent to the pharmacy? 
• Which medications must be electronically prescribed? 
• What are my options for writing a prescription if I have a wavier or I am using one of the exemptions? 
• What should a Connecticut pharmacist do if they receive a written prescription for a patient that was originally intended to be filled outside of Connecticut? 
• What are the record keeping requirements for pharmacists/pharmacies for Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances? 
• Is a pharmacist required to verify the prescribing practitioner's exemption status for every written prescription prior to dispensing the medication? 
• What is the pharmacist responsibility when receiving a written prescription for a controlled substance in Schedule II-V? 
• Can a pharmacist transfer a prescription for a controlled substance that was sent to my pharmacy using electronic prescribing of controlled substances that was never filled? 
• What is a pharmacy that receives an EPCS that is going to be transferred to another pharmacy required to do? 
• What should a pharmacist do with an out-of-state controlled substance prescription that does not meet the Connecticut requirements? 
• What is the pharmacy that is receiving an EPCS transfer from another pharmacy required to do? 
• What is a pharmacy that receives an EPCS that is going to be transferred to another pharmacy required to do? 
• What procedure must a prescriber follow when one’s ability to comply with the requirements set forth for Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (ECPS) exists in some, but not all, practice settings? 
• What if I am a prescriber and I work at multiple locations that don't all have the ability to comply with Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances? 
• What procedure must a prescriber follow when the issuance of an electronic Schedule II-V controlled substance prescription negatively impacts patient care? 
• What should I do if I practice in another state but see patients from Connecticut? 
• What procedure must a prescriber follow when issuing an electronic prescription that adversely impacts the patient’s medical condition? 
• What is required for a prescriber to transmit an electronic Schedule II-V controlled substance prescription? 
• What procedure must a prescriber follow when lacking the ability or “technological capacity” to comply with the requirements set forth for Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (ECPS)? 
• Can a prescriber change/update my questionnaire for Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances? 
• What should I do if I have an active Controlled Substance Registration but don't actively practice in Connecticut or I have retired from practice? 
• What procedure must a prescriber follow when issuing an electronic prescription that adversely impacts the patient’s medical condition? 
• What is the procedure for filing an Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (ECPS) exemption with the Department of Consumer Protection’s Drug Control Division? 
• What procedure must prescribers follow during a “technological failure” or “electrical failure”? 
• How should a transmitted electronic Schedule II-V prescription be stored? 
• What constitutes “technological failure” or “electrical failure”? 
• What does “technological capacity” mean? 
• What should I do if I don't prescribe controlled substances? 
• What is Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS)? 
• What procedure must a prescriber follow when the patient’s pharmacy is located outside of Connecticut? 
• Does an electronic prescription require a written follow-up prescription to be sent to the pharmacy?