What must a prescriber do after issuing an emergency Schedule II prescription?

After issuing an emergency Schedule II prescription, the prescriber must postmark the follow-up prescription within a specified timeframe. This requirement serves to ensure that there is a legitimate medical need for the emergency supply and that the prescriber formalizes the emergency prescription by providing the necessary written documentation.

In the case of emergency prescriptions for Schedule II substances, federal regulations stipulate that the prescriber must provide a written prescription to the pharmacist within 7 days of the emergency oral authorization. Although the common practice is to emphasize the act of postmarking the prescription within 72 hours, it is important to note that it is crucial for the prescriber to ensure compliance with the regulations and timelines set by both federal and state laws. The preemptive steps (such as calling the DEA or notifying the patient) do not replace the necessity of this written follow-up.

Thus, the requirement to postmark the written prescription within 72 hours is a key regulatory aspect that upholds the integrity of controlled substance prescribing and reinforces the monitoring of prescriptions for the safety of patients.