West Virginia MPJE (Pharmacy Jurisprudence) Practice Exam

In which of the following situations can a faxed prescription serve as the original prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance?

1. When the patient is being treated for a common cold

2. When the medication is going to a resident of a Long-Term Care Facility

3. When the patient is in a state-licensed hospice program

4. When the patient is in a Medicare-licensed hospice program

The correct answer is: When the patient is being treated for a common cold

The situation where a faxed prescription can serve as the original prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance is specifically applicable in certain circumstances outlined by the law. In the context of controlled substances, federal regulations allow for the acceptance of faxed prescriptions provided certain criteria are met. For example, a pharmacy can accept a faxed prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance when the medication is being prescribed for a patient in a long-term care facility or a state-licensed or Medicare-licensed hospice program. These provisions are in place to facilitate patient care in settings where immediate access to medications is necessary and to streamline the process for healthcare providers. In contrast, a common cold does not typically involve the use of Schedule II controlled substances, thus making that situation inapplicable under the law that allows faxed prescriptions for such substances. The rules regarding faxed prescriptions are intended to support specific healthcare needs, rather than to accommodate routine or less critical treatment conditions. Therefore, the correct answers are found in the situations related to healthcare programs specifically designed to address complex patient needs, not with common illnesses, which do not warrant the use of Schedule II prescriptions.