R156-17b-612. Operating Standards - Prescriptions

  In accordance with Subsection 58-17b-601(1), the following shall apply to prescriptions:

  (1) Prescription orders for controlled substances (including prescription transfers) shall be handled according to the rules of the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

  (2) A prescription issued by an authorized licensed practitioner, if verbally communicated by an agent of that practitioner upon that practitioner's specific instruction and authorization, may be accepted by a pharmacist, pharmacy intern, or DMP.

  (3) A prescription issued by a licensed prescribing practitioner, if electronically communicated by an agent of that practitioner, upon that practitioner's specific instruction and authorization, may be accepted by a pharmacist, pharmacy intern, pharmacy technician, pharmacy technician trainee, DMP, or DMP designee.

  (4) In accordance with Sections 58-17b-609 and 58-17b-611, prescription files, including refill information, shall be maintained for a minimum of five years and shall be immediately retrievable in written or electronic format.

  (5) Prescriptions for legend drugs having a remaining authorization for refill may be transferred by the pharmacist, pharmacy intern, or DMP at the pharmacy holding the prescription to a pharmacist, pharmacy intern or DMP at another pharmacy upon the authorization of the patient to whom the prescription was issued or electronically as authorized under Subsection R156-17b-613(9). The transferring pharmacist, pharmacy intern, or DMP and receiving pharmacist, pharmacy intern, or DMP shall act diligently to ensure that the total number of authorized refills is not exceeded. The following additional terms apply to such a transfer:

  (a) the transfer shall be communicated directly between pharmacists, pharmacy interns, or DMP or as authorized under Subsection R156-17b-613(9);

  (b) both the original and the transferred prescription drug orders shall be maintained for a period of five years from the date of the last refill;

  (c) the pharmacist, pharmacy intern, or DMP transferring the prescription drug order shall void the prescription electronically or write void/transfer on the face of the invalidated prescription manually;

  (d) the pharmacist, pharmacy intern, or DMP receiving the transferred prescription drug order shall:

  (i) indicate on the prescription record that the prescription was transferred electronically or manually; and

  (ii) record on the transferred prescription drug order the following information:

  (A) original date of issuance and date of dispensing or receipt, if different from date of issuance;

  (B) original prescription number and the number of refills authorized on the original prescription drug order;

  (C) number of valid refills remaining and the date of last refill, if applicable;

  (D) the name and address of the pharmacy and the name of the pharmacist, pharmacy intern, or DMP to whom such prescription is transferred; and

  (E) the name of the pharmacist, pharmacy intern, or DMP transferring the prescription drug order information;

  (e) the data processing system shall have a mechanism to prohibit the transfer or refilling of legend drugs or controlled substance prescription drug orders that have been previously transferred; and

  (f) a pharmacist, pharmacy intern, or DMP may not refuse to transfer original prescription information to another pharmacist, pharmacy intern, or DMP who is acting on behalf of a patient and who is making a request for this information as specified in Subsection (12) of this section.

  (6) Prescriptions for terminal patients in licensed hospices, home health agencies or nursing homes may be partially filled if the patient has a medical diagnosis documenting a terminal illness and may not need the full prescription amount.

  (7) Refills may be dispensed only in accordance with the prescriber's authorization as indicated on the original prescription drug order;

  (8) If there are no refill instructions on the original prescription drug order, or if all refills authorized on the original prescription drug order have been dispensed, authorization from the prescribing practitioner shall be obtained prior to dispensing any refills.

  (9) Refills of prescription drug orders for legend drugs may not be refilled after one year from the date of issuance of the original prescription drug order without obtaining authorization from the prescribing practitioner prior to dispensing any additional quantities of the drug.

  (10) Refills of prescription drug orders for controlled substances shall be done in accordance with Subsection 58-37-6(7)(f).

  (11) A pharmacist or DMP may exercise professional judgment in refilling a prescription drug order for a drug, other than a controlled substance listed in Schedule II, without the authorization of the prescribing practitioner, provided:

  (a) failure to refill the prescription might result in an interruption of a therapeutic regimen or create patient suffering;

  (b) either:

  (i) a natural or manmade disaster has occurred that prohibits the pharmacist or DMP from being able to contact the practitioner; or

  (ii) the pharmacist or DMP is unable to contact the practitioner after a reasonable effort, the effort should be documented and said documentation should be available to the Division;

  (c) the quantity of prescription drug dispensed does not exceed a 72-hour supply, unless the packaging is in a greater quantity;

  (d) the pharmacist or DMP informs the patient or the patient's agent at the time of dispensing that the refill is being provided without such authorization and that authorization of the practitioner is required for future refills;

  (e) the pharmacist or DMP informs the practitioner of the emergency refill at the earliest reasonable time;

  (f) the pharmacist or DMP maintains a record of the emergency refill containing the information required to be maintained on a prescription as specified in this subsection; and

  (g) the pharmacist or DMP affixes a label to the dispensing container as specified in Section 58-17b-602.

  (12) If the prescription was originally filled at another pharmacy, the pharmacist or DMP may exercise his professional judgment in refilling the prescription provided:

  (a) the patient has the prescription container label, receipt or other documentation from the other pharmacy that contains the essential information;

  (b) after a reasonable effort, the pharmacist or DMP is unable to contact the other pharmacy to transfer the remaining prescription refills or there are no refills remaining on the prescription;

  (c) the pharmacist or DMP, in his or her professional judgment, determines that such a request for an emergency refill is appropriate and meets the requirements of (a) and (b) of this subsection; and

  (d) the pharmacist or DMP complies with the requirements of Subsections (11)(c) through (g) of this section.

  (13) The address specified in Subsection 58-17b-602(1)(b) shall be a physical address, not a post office box.

  (14) In accordance with Subsection 58-37-6(7)(e), a prescription may not be written, issued, filled, or dispensed for a Schedule I controlled substance unless:

  (a) the person who writes the prescription is licensed to prescribe Schedule I controlled substances; and

  (b) the prescribed controlled substance is to be used in research.