MPJE Controlled Substances Regulations 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A prescriber writes an order for 90 tablets of a Schedule II opioid. The pharmacist only has 60 in stock. How long does the pharmacy have to supply the remaining 30 tablets?
- 24 hours
- 48 hours
- 72 hours (Correct answer)
- 7 days
Correct answer: 72 hours
The federal regulation allows the remainder of a partially filled Schedule II prescription to be dispensed within 72 hours; after that, a new prescription is required.
Question 2: Under the Ryan Haight Act, an online pharmacy that dispenses controlled substances must hold a DEA registration AND comply with which additional requirement?
- Have a licensed pharmacist on call 24 hours per day
- Conduct at least one in-person medical evaluation before prescribing (Correct answer)
- Accept only faxed prescriptions
- Operate only in states that allow telepharmacy
Correct answer: Conduct at least one in-person medical evaluation before prescribing
The Ryan Haight Act requires at least one valid in-person medical evaluation before a controlled substance may be prescribed via the internet.
Question 3: Which of the following practitioner types is NOT eligible to obtain a DEA registration to prescribe Schedule II–V controlled substances?
- Nurse practitioner with prescriptive authority
- Veterinarian
- Pharmacist filling prescriptions (Correct answer)
- Dentist
Correct answer: Pharmacist filling prescriptions
Pharmacists dispense controlled substances under the pharmacy's DEA registration; they do not obtain individual prescriber DEA registrations.
Question 4: The biennial inventory for controlled substances must be taken at what time of the business day?
- At the end of the business day only
- At the start or close of business on the inventory date (Correct answer)
- At any time during business hours with no restriction
- Exactly at midnight on the inventory date
Correct answer: At the start or close of business on the inventory date
Federal DEA regulations require the biennial inventory to be taken at the opening or close of business on the selected inventory date.
Question 5: A Schedule V cough preparation containing less than 200 mg of codeine per 100 mL may be sold OTC in states that permit it under which condition?
- By a pharmacist or pharmacy intern only, with a log entry of the purchaser's name and address (Correct answer)
- Without any pharmacist involvement or record-keeping requirement
- Only with a written prescription from a physician
- Only to patients over age 18 with a valid photo ID and no log required
Correct answer: By a pharmacist or pharmacy intern only, with a log entry of the purchaser's name and address
Federal law allows OTC sale of Schedule V exempt preparations only by a pharmacist or intern, and requires maintaining a bound log with purchaser information.
Question 6: Which of the following BEST describes a mid-level practitioner (MLP) under DEA regulations?
- A practitioner licensed in any profession who can prescribe without state authorization
- A nurse, physician assistant, or similar professional who may prescribe controlled substances only to the extent permitted by state law (Correct answer)
- Any healthcare professional with a DEA registration number
- A hospital pharmacist who supervises controlled substance distribution
Correct answer: A nurse, physician assistant, or similar professional who may prescribe controlled substances only to the extent permitted by state law
DEA defines MLPs as individual practitioners other than physicians, dentists, or vets; they may prescribe controlled substances only within the scope granted by state law.
Question 7: A pharmacy receives a prescription for Schedules III–V drugs. Under federal law, this prescription may be refilled:
- Up to 5 times within 6 months of the date issued (Correct answer)
- Up to 12 times within 12 months of the date issued
- As many times as the prescriber authorizes, with no federal limit
- Never; all controlled substance prescriptions are non-refillable
Correct answer: Up to 5 times within 6 months of the date issued
Schedule III and IV prescriptions may be refilled no more than 5 times within 6 months of the issue date; Schedule V is also limited to 5 refills in 6 months under federal law.
MPJE Controlled Substances Regulations 4
A prescriber writes an order for 90 tablets of a Schedule II opioid.
The pharmacist only has 60 in stock.
How long does the pharmacy have to supply the remaining 30 tablets?