[PW] Can a Drug Prescription Be Written for One Year? (also, can a year's...

[Backwage at aol.com]

In a message dated 12/7/2007 9:14:25 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,  
AFranco at iona.edu writes:

A patron  wants to know if a drug prescription may be written for one year.   
First, am I correct in assuming that drug prescription laws and  regulations 
would be determined at the state rather than the federal  level?
Also, would this more likely be a regulation or a  law?


There are multiple answers to this one.  
 
First, a doctor can write a prescription for any length of time.  She  can 
write one for any drug, substance or item:  she could write you one  saying 
you've got to talk on the phone or take a solution of barn paint twice  daily, 
forever.  Nothing illegal about that. 
 
On the other hand, there are limits on certain drugs; what your  patron 
probably means to ask is whether a certain drug may be refilled beyond a  time 
limit that she's been told would apply.
 
The feds classify drugs according to a scale.  Most states and federal  
agencies will adhere to this system when prescribing drugs.  See  scale:  
_http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/scheduling.html_ 
(http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/scheduling.html)    Go down this list and you'll find various painkillers that are 
often abused, and  would likely have limits on prescription without a further 
examination by a  licensed physician.  Also, there are reporting requirements for 
certain of  these drugs.  The government (state and federal) requires 
submission  of reports on prescription of these goodies.  
 
Of course, there are also limits imposed by insurers as to how often and  how 
much--they do this to keep from paying out too much money.  I have a  
prescription for an anti-depressant that I take to keep me from telling my  relatives 
the truth about themselves while on holiday visits.  I will  likely take this 
medicine forever, or as long as I have living relations.   For some reason my 
pharmacist does not appreciate the nature of this situation;  I have to call 
in every couple of months for more.  I have told him that if  I run out, the 
only substitute is heavy doses of bourbon or to stay home and  read.  Now that 
I think about it, maybe I should just get off the pills and  finish off all 
those books by the bed stand.
 
M. McGrorty
 
 



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