New Rhode Island Regulations on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances
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New Rhode Island Regulations on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances

Starting January 2 2020, the Rhode Island Department of Public Health is mandating prescribers to electronically prescribe controlled substances. Some prescribers, such as veterinarians will be issued a permanent waiver and dentists will be issued a time-limited waiver until July 1, 2020.  All others may apply for a temporary waiver if they can demonstrate economic hardship.  Temporary waivers will be considered on a case by case basis.

Here are some highlights of the new regulations:

1. Practitioners must review, sign, transmit, and file (confirmation of successful transmittal) prescriptions electronically for controlled substances in Schedules II, III, IV, and V.

2. The practitioner must keep records of prescriptions that are readily retrievable (electronic or hard copy).

3. Practitioners are not required to process prescriptions electronically if electronic prescribing is not available due to temporary technological or electronic failure (must meet all additional requirements).

4. Any prescription issued in a form other than an electronically transmitted prescription, must be issued as a written order or, to the extent permitted by federal and state laws and regulations, as an oral order, or transmitted by facsimile machine.

5. Prescription drug plans are not required to verify that a practitioner is exempt from the requirements.

6. This does not prevent a patient from transferring their electronic prescription from one pharmacy to another.

7. Practitioners shall not authorize or allow an unlicensed staff member (e.g., medical assistant) to telephone or otherwise transmit a prescription for a controlled substance to a pharmacy.

8. A practitioner may apply for a temporary waiver from the electronic prescription requirement, if they can demonstrate economic hardship.

For complete details, please refer to the Rhode Island Department of Health’s PART 4 – Pain Management, Opioid Use, and the Registration of Distributors of Controlled Substances in Rhode Island

If you have any questions or need help achieving or maintaining compliance, please contact us.

The Consultant Pharmacists at OctariusRx provide guidance on safe medication management, survey readiness and cost savings to ambulatory healthcare facilities/surgery centers, senior care facilities and pharmacies  We also help individual patients optimize their medications to improve their quality of life and save money. Contact us for assistance.

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