§ 27.20. Facsimile machines.
(a) Schedule II controlled substances.
(1) A pharmacist may fill a prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance which was received on a facsimile machine if the original prescription signed by the medical practitioner is presented to the pharmacist for review prior to the actual dispensing of the controlled substance. The original prescription shall be maintained as the original pharmacy record.
(2) There are three exceptions to the requirement that the pharmacist review the original of the prescription received on a facsimile machine before dispensing a Schedule II controlled substance. A pharmacist may fill and dispense a prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance which was received on a facsimile machine and may use the facsimile as the original pharmacy record of the following:
(i) A prescription for a Schedule II controlled narcotic substance to be compounded for the direct administration to a patient by parenteral, intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous or intraspinal infusion in the patient’s home.
(ii) A prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance for a resident of a long-term care facility.
(iii) A prescription for a Schedule II controlled narcotic substance for a patient enrolled in a hospice care program.
(b) Schedule III, IV and V controlled substances and other nonproprietary drugs. A pharmacist may fill and dispense a prescription signed by a medical practitioner for a Schedule III, IV or V controlled substance or other nonpropri-etary drug which was received on a facsimile machine. The pharmacist may use the facsimile as the original pharmacy record.
(c) General.
(1) A pharmacist shall exercise professional judgment regarding the accuracy and authenticity of the facsimile copy of a prescription.
(2) Unless the original prescription will be maintained as the original pharmacy record, the quality of paper on which a facsimile copy of a prescription is printed shall be of a type that the facsimile copy can be maintained as a record for at least 2 years, as required under section 4(a)(3) of the act (63 P. S. § 390-4(a)(3)).
(3) A pharmacist or pharmacy may not contribute in any way to the installation of a facsimile machine in the office of a medical practitioner or in an institution.
(4) For purposes of this section, a prescription does not include an order for medication which is dispensed for immediate administration to a patient in an institution.
Source The provisions of this § 27.20 adopted June 20, 1997, effective June 21, 1997, 27 Pa.B. 2931; amended March 1, 2002, effective March 2, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 1194. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (247942) and (248955).
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