CPhT Controlled Substances 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Tramadol (Ultram) is classified as which DEA schedule?
- Schedule II
- Schedule III
- Schedule IV (Correct answer)
- Schedule V
Correct answer: Schedule IV
Tramadol was placed in Schedule IV by the DEA effective August 2014.
Question 2: Which of the following is an example of an authorized DEA Schedule V controlled substance dispensed without a prescription in some states?
- Alprazolam (Xanax)
- Pregabalin (Lyrica)
- Cough preparations with less than 200 mg of codeine per 100 mL (Correct answer)
- Zolpidem (Ambien)
Correct answer: Cough preparations with less than 200 mg of codeine per 100 mL
Certain Schedule V cough preparations containing small amounts of codeine (less than 200 mg per 100 mL) may be dispensed OTC in states that permit it.
Question 3: A pharmacy's biennial controlled substance inventory must be conducted every two years from which reference date?
- The date the pharmacy first opened
- The date of the most recent DEA inspection
- The date the pharmacy's DEA registration was issued or last renewed (Correct answer)
- Any date chosen by the pharmacist-in-charge
Correct answer: The date the pharmacy's DEA registration was issued or last renewed
The biennial inventory must be taken on or near the date the pharmacy's current DEA registration was issued or last renewed, then every two years thereafter.
Question 4: Under the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act (CMEA), the daily sales limit of pseudoephedrine to any one purchaser is:
- 3.6 grams (Correct answer)
- 7.5 grams
- 9 grams
- 12 grams
Correct answer: 3.6 grams
CMEA limits retail purchases of pseudoephedrine-containing products to 3.6 grams per day per purchaser and 9 grams per 30-day period.
Question 5: Which DEA schedule has the highest currently accepted medical use and the lowest potential for abuse?
- Schedule II
- Schedule III
- Schedule IV
- Schedule V (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Schedule V
Schedule V substances have a currently accepted medical use, a low potential for abuse relative to other schedules, and limited physical or psychological dependence liability.
Question 6: A prescriber issues three separate Schedule II prescriptions on the same day for a 90-day supply. Which statement is correct?
- This is illegal under all circumstances
- This is permitted if the prescriber notes a legitimate medical purpose and earliest fill date on each (Correct answer)
- Only one CII prescription may be issued per visit
- The pharmacist must call the DEA before dispensing any of them
Correct answer: This is permitted if the prescriber notes a legitimate medical purpose and earliest fill date on each
Federal law allows prescribers to issue multiple CII prescriptions on the same day for up to a 90-day supply if a legitimate medical purpose is documented and an earliest fill date is noted on each.
Question 7: Gabapentin is listed as a controlled substance (Schedule V) in several states but is NOT federally scheduled. What does this mean for a pharmacy operating in such a state?
- The pharmacy may ignore state law because federal law preempts it
- The pharmacy must follow the stricter state law and apply Schedule V controls (Correct answer)
- Gabapentin may be dispensed without a prescription in that state
- No additional recordkeeping is required since it is not federally scheduled
Correct answer: The pharmacy must follow the stricter state law and apply Schedule V controls
When state law is stricter than federal law regarding controlled substances, pharmacies must comply with the more stringent state requirement.
CPhT Controlled Substances 3
Tramadol (Ultram) is classified as which DEA schedule?