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You are Here: Home Page > Narcotic Enforcement > Controlled Substance And Official Prescription Program Update - February 2007  

Controlled Substance And Official Prescription Program Update - February 2007

To: All New York State Pharmacies

From: James Giglio, Director, Bureau Of Narcotic Enforcement

Date: February 2007

Subject: Controlled Substance And Official Prescription Program Update

Quantities Allowable on Controlled Substance Prescriptions

Prescriptions for controlled substances are limited to a 30-day supply. However, a practitioner may prescribe up to a three-month supply of a controlled substance, including human chorionic gonadotropin (hcg), or up to a six-month supply of an anabolic steroid for treatment of the following conditions:

• Code A: Panic disorder
• Code B: Attention deficit disorder
• Code C: Chronic debilitating neurological conditions characterized as a movement disorder or exhibiting seizure, convulsive or spasm activity
• Code D: Relief of pain in patients suffering from diseases known to be chronic and incurable
• Code E: Narcolepsy
• Code F: Hormone deficiency states in males; gynecologic conditions that are responsive with anabolic steroids or chorionic gonadotropin; metastatic breast cancer in women; anemia and angioedema

When prescribing more than a 30-day supply of a controlled substance to treat one of the above conditions, a practitioner must write on the face of the prescription either the condition or the Code designating the condition.

Emergency Medication Kits in Class 3a Facilities

Regulations authorize a pharmacy to provide sealed emergency medication kits containing controlled substances to facilities licensed as Class 3a institutional dispenser limited. Such kits may contain up to a 24-hour supply of up to 10 different controlled substances in unit dose packaging, no more than three of which may be injectables. Each kit must be secured in a stationary, double-locked system. Controlled substances from an emergency medication kit may be administered to a patient in an emergency situation pursuant to an order of an authorized practitioner. The Class 3a facility must notify the pharmacy that supplies the emergency kit within 24 hours of each time the kit is unsealed, opened, or shows evidence of tampering.

Stickers and Labels on Official New York State Prescriptions

Adhesive stickers and labels containing only patient information are valid for use on official prescriptions for non-controlled substances if they are affixed permanently to the prescription. Patient information includes the patient name, address, and date of birth. Stickers and labels containing patient or drug information are not valid for use on official prescriptions for controlled substances because they compromise the security features of the prescriptions. However, a practitioner may use an adhesive sticker or label to indicate a change of practice address on official prescriptions for both controlled and non-controlled substances.

The controlled substance law and regulations may be viewed online at: www.nyhealth.gov/professionals/narcotic/. Pharmacists with questions about official prescriptions or controlled substances may contact the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement at (866) 811-7957 or online at: narcotic@health.state.ny.us.