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You are Here: Home Page > Health Care Professionals & Patient Safety > Narcotic Enforcement  

Narcotic Enforcement

Electronic Prescriptions for Controlled Substances

The March 31, 2010 Federal Register contained a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Interim Final Rule with Request for Comment regarding Electronic Prescriptions for Controlled Substances. The DEA has revised its regulations to provide practitioners with the option of writing prescriptions for controlled substances electronically. The regulations also permit pharmacies to receive, dispense and archive these electronic prescriptions. The DEA rule became effective June 1, 2010.

In anticipation of adoption of the DEA rule, the Department of Health has been working to update its regulations to allow for electronic prescribing of controlled substances in New York State. However, until such time as the corresponding State regulations are adopted, electronic prescribing of controlled substances is not permissible in New York State.

Under current parameters established by the New York State Board of Pharmacy, prescriptions for non-controlled substances may continue to be transmitted to a pharmacy. At this time, an Official Prescription is not utilized for electronic prescribing of non-controlled substances and a serial number is not needed.

Hypodermic Needles and Syringes

Changes to the Public Health Law, which became effective July 15, 2010, now allow for the electronic prescribing of hypodermic needles and syringes (including pre-filled syringes with a non-controlled substance) in New York State. This change expands the current prescribing methods for hypodermic needles and syringes, which include Official New York State Prescriptions, out-of-state prescriptions and oral prescriptions. Computer generated faxing is not allowed.

It is important to note that electronic prescriptions for hypodermic needles and syringes pre-filled with a controlled substance is not yet permissible.

Attention New York State Prescribers

Public Health Law requires that all prescriptions written in New York State be issued on an official New York State prescription form. The law was enacted to combat prescription fraud and went into effect on April 19, 2006.

Register and Order Official Prescriptions Free of Charge

About the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement

The Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE) is responsible for protecting the public health by combating the illegal use and trafficking of prescription controlled substances. The Bureau provides millions of secure Official New York State Prescriptions annually to over 95,000 prescribing practitioners across the State. BNE monitors and regulates controlled substances through its issuance of licenses to manufacturers, distributors, hospitals, nursing homes, and researchers. BNE Narcotic Investigators investigate suspected drug diversion or illegal sales involving theft, forgery, and fraudulent visits to practitioners' offices, and work closely with local, state and federal law enforcement. The Bureau also prevents prescription drug abuse through educational materials and presentations for parents, educators, and healthcare professionals.