PURPOSE: This rule sets requirements governing the transmission of prescription information. (1) Prescriptions in Schedule II. A pharmacist may dispense a controlled substance in Schedule II only under a written prescription signed by the practitioner, except as provided in section 195.060.3, RSMo. A prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance may be transmitted from the prescribing practitioner to a pharmacy by facsimile equipment or electronic computer transmission, provided the original written, signed prescription is presented to the pharmacist for review prior to the actual dispensing of the controlled substance, except that—

1. (A) A prescription written for a Schedule II narcotic substance to be compounded for the direct administration to a patient by parenteral, intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous or intraspinal infusion may be transmitted by the practitioner or the practitioner’s agent to the pharmacy by facsimile or by electronic computer transmission. The facsimile or the computer transmission which has been reduced to writing shall serve as and shall be maintained in the same manner as an original written prescription.
2. (B) A prescription written for a Schedule II substance for a resident of a long-term care facility may be transmitted by the practitioner or the practitioner’s agent to the pharmacy by facsimile or by electronic computer transmission. The facsimile or the computer transmission which has been reduced to writing shall serve as and shall be maintained in the same manner as an original written prescription.
3. (C) A prescription written for a Schedule II substance for a patient of a hospice may be transmitted by the practitioner or the practitioner’s agent to the pharmacy by facsimile or by electronic computer transmission. The practitioner or the practitioner’s agent shall note on the prescription that the patient is a hospice patient. The facsimile or the computer transmission which has been reduced to writing shall serve as and shall be maintained in the same manner as an original written prescription.
4. (2) Prescriptions in Schedule III, IV or V. A pharmacist may dispense directly a controlled substance in Schedule III, IV or V only under a written prescription signed by a practitioner or a facsimile of a written, signed prescription transmitted by the practitioner or his/her authorized agent or under an oral prescription made by an individual practitioner whether communicated by the practitioner or his/her authorized agent or a prescription transmitted by electronic computer transmission by the authorizing practitioner or the practitioner’s agent to the pharmacy. All oral prescriptions and prescriptions transmitted by electronic computer transmission shall be promptly reduced to writing by the pharmacist containing all information required in section 195.060, RSMo, except for the signature of the practitioner.
5. (3) Written Prescriptions. All written controlled substance prescriptions shall be signed by the prescribing practitioner on the date prescribed. No controlled substance prescription shall be signed prior to the actual date it is issued.

AUTHORITY: section 195.195, RSMo 1994.* Original rule filed April 14, 2000, effective Nov. 30, 2000. *Original authority: 195.195, RSMo 1957, amended 1971, 1989, 1993.