Telephone Prescriptions
Schedule II (for emergency only)
- EPCS waiver on file with the Department
- telephone prescription can be called into the pharmacy, however the original hard copy of that prescription must be mailed to the pharmacy within 72 hours (pharmacist are encourage to keep a log of these circumstances to reconcile these issues going forward)
- No EPCS waiver on file with the Department see Exemption Instructions
Schedule III-V
- EPCS waiver on file with the Department
- prescription can be telephoned into the pharmacy
- No EPCS waiver on file with the Department
- prescription can be telephoned into the pharmacy for one of the non-waiver exemptions see Exemption Instructions
Faxed Prescriptions
If a pharmacist questions the accuracy or authenticity of a prescription transmitted by facsimile machine, he or she shall contact the prescribing practitioner for verification before dispensing the prescription.
Schedule II
- EPCS waiver on file with the Department or an exemption exists
(a) Prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances may be transmitted by a prescribing practitioner or his agent to a pharmacy by means of a facsimile machine provided the original written, signed prescription is provided to the pharmacist for review prior to the actual dispensing of the controlled substance, except as provided for in subsections (b) and (c) of this section. The original written prescription, once received by the pharmacist, shall be reviewed to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of section 21a-249 of the Connecticut General Statutes and shall be maintained as the original record of dispensing. The facsimile prescription order shall not be considered to be the actual prescription, but only a record of the transmission of the prescription order.
(b) Prescriptions for Schedule II narcotic substances to be compounded for direct administration to a patient by parenteral, intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous or intraspinal infusion may be transmitted by the prescribing practitioner or his agent to a pharmacy by facsimile. The prescription transmitted via facsimile will be accepted as the original prescription for purposes of this section.
(c) Prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances for patients of a long-term care facility may be transmitted by a prescribing practitioner or his agent to the dispensing pharmacy by facsimile. The prescription transmitted via facsimile will be accepted as the original prescription for purposes of this section.
(d) Prescriptions transmitted by facsimile machine in accordance with subsections (b) and (c) of this section shall comply with the requirements set forth in subsection (b) of Section 21a-243-15 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.
Schedule III-V
- EPCS waiver on file with the Department or an exemption exists
(a) Prescriptions for Schedule III, IV and V controlled substances may be transmitted by a prescribing practitioner or his agent to a pharmacy by means of a facsimile machine.
(b) All prescriptions transmitted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section must comply with the following in addition to any other requirement of federal or state statute or regulation:
(1) The facsimile prescription shall clearly contain the name of the pharmacy to which the facsimile is being transmitted and the name of the facility from which it is transmitted if the prescription is written for an inpatient of a chronic or convalescent nursing home or a rest home with nursing supervision;
(2) The facsimile prescription shall clearly display a statement in substantially the following form: "This prescription is valid only if transmitted by means of a facsimile machine"; and
(3) The facsimile document may be maintained as the actual prescription only if the nature of the equipment and paper ensures that the prescription will remain non-fading and durable for the minimum amount of time required for the maintenance of prescription records under federal and state statute or regulation. If the document will not remain non-fading or durable, the prescription transmitted by facsimile machine shall be reduced to writing, photocopied or converted to an individual printout.
Note: It shall be the responsibility of the prescribing practitioner to ensure that the prescription form that is used to transmit a prescription by facsimile machine is either destroyed immediately or marked or controlled in such a manner that prevents the use of such form to obtain controlled substances other than as authorized by these regulations.
Mailed Prescriptions
Schedule II-V
- EPCS waiver on file with the Department or an exemption exists
- Nothing would prevent the practitioner from mailing prescription to the pharmacy in these situations.