Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Practice Exam

In which scenario may a fax be accepted as a hard copy prescription for a schedule II controlled substance?

1. Schedule II substance prescriptions may always be accepted via fax

2. The prescription specifically states that the drug is for a hospice patient

3. The prescriber calls ahead to notify you

4. The hard copy is mailed to the pharmacy within 7 days

The correct answer is: The prescription specifically states that the drug is for a hospice patient

A fax can be accepted as a hard copy prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance specifically when the prescription states that the drug is for a hospice patient. This is in accordance with regulations set forth by both federal law and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). In such cases, the faxed prescription acts as a legal document allowing for prompt treatment of patients in hospice care without undue delay, given the urgency of medication needs for palliative care. For other scenarios, while notifications or follow-up actions can certainly help in pharmacy operations, they do not change the strict regulations surrounding how Schedule II prescriptions must be managed. The requirement for a hard copy within a specified timeframe eliminates the fax option when it comes to general procedures. Thus, the exception in the case of hospice patients is designed to balance regulatory compliance with the necessity of providing timely care.