Prescription Orders

A pharmacist shall review all prescription orders before the drug is first dispensed. In the event that medications available in the long-term care facility are ordered and administered before the pharmacist’s review, the order shall be reviewed by a pharmacist in a timely manner. The pharmacist shall have access to the patient’s medical record. The prescription order must be maintained in a readily retrievable manner according to the pharmacy practice site policy. If a patient residing in a long-term care facility has an existing prescription order for a controlled substance, and a valid prescription is needed from the prescriber to continue that order, a fax or electronic communication containing the required information listed in 1140-03-.03 (4)(a) may be generated by a pharmacist, or pharmacy technician working under the direct supervision of a pharmacist, and communicated to the prescriber. Upon receipt of the communication, the prescriber may complete the prescription order by indicating the name of the patient, name and signature of the prescriber, drug, quantity, and date. The completed prescription order may then be faxed or electronically communicated to the long-term care pharmacy practice site. When received by the long-term care pharmacy practice site, this signed fax or electronic communication shall be considered a valid prescription order.