CAN A PHARMACIST DISPENSE A PRESCRIPTION ORDER FOR METHADONE?
Methadone can be dispensed by a pharmacist pursuant to a prescription issued for analgesic purposes, similar to any other controlled substance. Note however, federal regulations do not permit the prescribing of methadone for purposes of detoxifying or maintaining a narcotic addict. Prescriptions issued for this purpose are illegal and do not authorize pharmacists to dispense methadone for these purposes. The federal regulations require that methadone may only be administered for these purposes by drug treatment programs approved by the FDA (21CFR 1306.07). 21 CFR 1306.04 (Purpose of issue of prescription) provides that “a prescription may not be issued for the purpose of dispensing of narcotic drugs in any schedule for detoxification treatment” or “maintenance treatment”. Pharmacists practicing in community pharmacies have received prescriptions in which it was obvious that the prescriber was attempting to provide “detoxification treatment” for a patient who has become dependent on mor
Related Questions
- Can a pharmacist dispense a prescription written on faxed tamper-resistant pads or paper where the security pantograph is activated?
- How many packages of pseudoephedrine may a pharmacist dispense without a prescription to an individual in a single day?
- Can an ophthalmic dispenser dispense replacement contact lenses or eyeglasses without a prescription?
