Can i transfer a controlled substance to another pharmacy

Update January 19, 2018

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Can CVS transfer narcotic prescriptions to another CVS?
When transferring a controlled substance prescription to another pharmacy which of the following must be written on the front of the original prescription?
Can you transfer Adderall prescription to another pharmacy?
Can Walgreens transfer controlled prescriptions to another Walgreens?

At the start of 2017, the DEA received inquiries from some pharmacists regarding the transfer of Schedule II electronic prescriptions (e‑prescriptions). In July 2017, Carmen A. Catizone, Executive Director of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) released the following statement to the state boards of pharmacy:

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Clarification on transfer of unfilled controlled substance prescriptions

A number of states have reported to the NABP some confusion regarding federal regulations and the transfer of unfilled electronic prescriptions for controlled substances. The [below] information clarifying this situation was obtained by NABP through [its] lead role on the Controlled Substances Stakeholder Coalition and excellent working relationship with the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The Controlled Substances Act and its implementing regulations outline what can take place regarding prescriptions for controlled substances. In Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 1306.25 the DEA made a specific exception so that a DEA registered pharmacy can, once it has filled an original prescription for a controlled substance in Schedules III-V, transfer the original prescription information to another DEA registered pharmacy for the purpose of allowing that second pharmacy to then dispense any remaining valid refills still permitted by law and the prescriber’s authorization. With one exception, such an allowance currently does not exist for the forwarding of an unfilled prescription from one DEA registered retail pharmacy so that it may be filled at another DEA registered retail pharmacy.

Prescriptions can take the form of paper (including fax), call‑in, or electronic prescription for controlled substances (EPCS). The DEA has addressed the forwarding of an EPCS prescription. The DEA published information in the preamble of the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on EPCS, 73 FR 36722, and the preamble of the interim final rule (IFR) on EPCS, 75 FR 16235. Note, because this was in the preamble and not in the EPCS regulations, it represents the DEA’s policy. As posted in the preambles of the NPRM and the IFR, an unfilled original EPCS prescription can be forwarded from one DEA registered retail pharmacy to another DEA registered retail pharmacy, and this includes Schedule II controlled substances.

At the start of 2017, the DEA received inquiries from some pharmacists regarding this issue. The DEA was advised that these pharmacists had received notice from their management that they could not forward original unfilled prescriptions for controlled substances as there was no exception in Federal regulation that expressly allowed this activity. The pharmacists were provided with the above information. Although the DEA received several inquiries regarding this issue earlier in the year, these have now ceased.

I hope this helps you and the members of your association.

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To learn more about the DEA’s policy on the transfer of controlled substances, view the Pharmacist’s Manual.

§ 1306.25 Transfer between pharmacies of prescription information for Schedules III, IV, and V controlled substances for refill purposes.

(a) The transfer of original prescription information for a controlled substance listed in Schedule III, IV, or V for the purpose of refill dispensing is permissible between pharmacies on a one-time basis only. However, pharmacies electronically sharing a real-time, online database may transfer up to the maximum refills permitted by law and the prescriber's authorization.

(b) Transfers are subject to the following requirements:

(1) The transfer must be communicated directly between two licensed pharmacists.

(2) The transferring pharmacist must do the following:

(i) Write the word “VOID” on the face of the invalidated prescription; for electronic prescriptions, information that the prescription has been transferred must be added to the prescription record.

(ii) Record on the reverse of the invalidated prescription the name, address, and DEA registration number of the pharmacy to which it was transferred and the name of the pharmacist receiving the prescription information; for electronic prescriptions, such information must be added to the prescription record.

(iii) Record the date of the transfer and the name of the pharmacist transferring the information.

(3) For paper prescriptions and prescriptions received orally and reduced to writing by the pharmacist pursuant to § 1306.21(a), the pharmacist receiving the transferred prescription information must write the word “transfer” on the face of the transferred prescription and reduce to writing all information required to be on a prescription pursuant to § 1306.05 and include:

(i) Date of issuance of original prescription.

(ii) Original number of refills authorized on original prescription.

(iii) Date of original dispensing.

(iv) Number of valid refills remaining and date(s) and locations of previous refill(s).

(v) Pharmacy's name, address, DEA registration number, and prescription number from which the prescription information was transferred.

(vi) Name of pharmacist who transferred the prescription.

(vii) Pharmacy's name, address, DEA registration number, and prescription number from which the prescription was originally filled.

(4) For electronic prescriptions being transferred electronically, the transferring pharmacist must provide the receiving pharmacist with the following information in addition to the original electronic prescription data:

(i) The date of the original dispensing.

(ii) The number of refills remaining and the date(s) and locations of previous refills.

(iii) The transferring pharmacy's name, address, DEA registration number, and prescription number for each dispensing.

(iv) The name of the pharmacist transferring the prescription.

(v) The name, address, DEA registration number, and prescription number from the pharmacy that originally filled the prescription, if different.

(5) The pharmacist receiving a transferred electronic prescription must create an electronic record for the prescription that includes the receiving pharmacist's name and all of the information transferred with the prescription under paragraph (b)(4) of this section.

(c) The original and transferred prescription(s) must be maintained for a period of two years from the date of last refill.

(d) Pharmacies electronically accessing the same prescription record must satisfy all information requirements of a manual mode for prescription transferal.

(e) The procedure allowing the transfer of prescription information for refill purposes is permissible only if allowable under existing State or other applicable law.

[75 FR 16309, Mar. 31, 2010]

Can CVS transfer narcotic prescriptions to another CVS?

Can I transfer from one CVS/pharmacy to another online? A. Yes. Just refill through your account or Rapid Refill and choose to pick up your refill at your new CVS/pharmacy.

When transferring a controlled substance prescription to another pharmacy which of the following must be written on the front of the original prescription?

(i) The date of the original dispensing. (ii) The number of refills remaining and the date(s) and locations of previous refills. (iii) The transferring pharmacy's name, address, DEA registration number, and prescription number for each dispensing.

Can you transfer Adderall prescription to another pharmacy?

There are certain medications like Adderall, Percocet, and Oxycontin that may not be transferred to a new pharmacy. There are medications that you can transfer only once. These medications include Ambien and Xanax. In both instances, you will need a new prescription to get more medications.

Can Walgreens transfer controlled prescriptions to another Walgreens?

Yes. TransferSafe complies with many state regulations regarding the transfer of prescriptions. What if I have a request to transfer a controlled prescription? the Walgreens pharmacy directly to transfer a prescription for a controlled substance.