Q: Why are the new tamper-resistant prescription forms that are now required for controlled substances not available to doctors until Jan. 1? My mail-order pharmacist says that effective Oct. 1, it can no longer fill any prescription for class 2 controlled substances such as oxycontin or methadone because of a new mandate from the Georgia Pharmaceutical Board that the prescription(s) have to be written on a new state-issued, tamper-proof form. The problem is that my doctor tells me that the new forms will not be available until Jan. 1.
-- Joe Finney, Fayetteville
A: Effective Oct. 1, every hard copy prescription drug order for any Schedule II controlled substance written in Georgia by a practitioner must be written on security paper, according to the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy. But the board on Nov. 9 amended its policy on approval of security paper for prescription pads or paper to say: “In the event a prescription pad containing the Board seal, sequential numbering and lot number is not available for the prescription or prescription paper containing the Board seal is not available for the prescription, and a medical health emergency exists, a prescription may be issued on paper meeting the requirements for approval for an amount of medication to cover not more than 30 days.” The prescription must contain a statement that an emergency exists. The exception for emergencies applies to prescriptions written before Dec. 31, which is when all providers must have the Board-approved security paper.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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