MPJE Controlled Substances Regulations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A pharmacy technician notices that the DEA registration certificate has expired. Which action is MOST appropriate?
- Continue dispensing until the renewed certificate arrives
- Cease dispensing all controlled substances until the registration is renewed (Correct answer)
- Only dispense Schedule III–V drugs until renewal
- Contact the state board for a temporary exemption
Correct answer: Cease dispensing all controlled substances until the registration is renewed
A pharmacy must not dispense controlled substances without a valid, current DEA registration; all controlled substance dispensing must stop.
Question 2: Under the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act (CMEA), what is the daily sales limit per purchaser for pseudoephedrine products sold without a prescription?
- 3.6 grams (Correct answer)
- 7.5 grams
- 9 grams
- 12 grams
Correct answer: 3.6 grams
The CMEA limits daily pseudoephedrine sales to 3.6 grams per purchaser and 9 grams per 30-day period.
Question 3: Which DEA form is used by a pharmacy to destroy outdated or damaged controlled substances?
- DEA Form 106
- DEA Form 222
- DEA Form 41 (Correct answer)
- DEA Form 363
Correct answer: DEA Form 41
DEA Form 41 is submitted when a registrant destroys controlled substances, documenting the drugs destroyed and method used.
Question 4: An electronic prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance must include all of the following EXCEPT:
- Patient's name and address
- DEA registration number of the prescriber
- Pharmacist's DEA registration number (Correct answer)
- Drug name, strength, and quantity
Correct answer: Pharmacist's DEA registration number
The pharmacist's DEA registration number is not required on a controlled substance prescription; only the prescribing practitioner's DEA number is needed.
Question 5: Which of the following substances is correctly classified as Schedule IV under federal law?
- Hydrocodone combination products
- Alprazolam (Correct answer)
- Codeine combination products with ≤90 mg per dosage unit
- Buprenorphine
Correct answer: Alprazolam
Alprazolam (Xanax) is a Schedule IV benzodiazepine under federal law due to its lower abuse potential relative to Schedule III substances.
Question 6: When a DEA-registered pharmacy closes permanently, what must happen to its remaining controlled substance inventory?
- Transfer to another DEA registrant or return to the manufacturer with DEA approval (Correct answer)
- Destroy on-site without notifying the DEA
- Transfer to the state board of pharmacy for redistribution
- Donate to a local hospital without restriction
Correct answer: Transfer to another DEA registrant or return to the manufacturer with DEA approval
Upon permanent closure, a pharmacy must transfer remaining controlled substances to another DEA registrant or return them to the manufacturer, following DEA disposal regulations.
Question 7: Under federal law, which of the following is a VALID emergency oral prescription for a Schedule II substance?
- The prescriber phones in the order; no written follow-up is required
- The prescriber phones in the order, and a written prescription must be received by the pharmacy within 7 days (Correct answer)
- The prescriber phones in the order, and only a 24-hour supply may be dispensed
- Emergency oral prescriptions are never permitted for Schedule II drugs
Correct answer: The prescriber phones in the order, and a written prescription must be received by the pharmacy within 7 days
In a documented emergency, a physician may phone a Schedule II prescription, but must deliver a written prescription to the pharmacy within 7 days.
MPJE Controlled Substances Regulations 3
A pharmacy technician notices that the DEA registration certificate has expired.
Which action is MOST appropriate?