Minimum Requirements by prescriber for controlled substance prescriptions.

H&S code 11164 states that (1) The prescription shall be signed and dated by the prescriber in ink. The only two things a prescriber must do in his handwriting is sign and date the prescription while the patient's name, address, DOB, body of Rx can be filled out by the prescribers delegate PA, NP, RN, MA, intern, or office staff. All too often pharmacy staff are unaware of this vital requirement. Prescriptions not in compliance must be declined back to the patient an replaced with a new hardcopy or submitted electronically to the pharmacy to complete the order and provide the service to the patient. Additional common problem, many pharmacies scan the hardcopy prescription, then the Rx is filed away. The scanning process distorts the image and makes for identification of alternate handwriting by a MA, NP or student very difficult. Consider adding a policy to daily routine that the CII hardcopy continues down the workflow line and reviewed visually by the verification pharmacist prior to filing the original Rx document away. Attention to this process will prevent or reduce penalties incurred during audit.