|  | Conditions Treatments | Prescription Drugs

Prescription Requirements for Class IV & V Drugs

Schedule IV and V prescription drugs are not as highly regulated as Schedule I, II and III drugs because they have lower chances of addiction. Drug schedule labeling is a function of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has performed a complete evaluation of all known data on the drug in question. The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) contains the guidelines for drug scheduling.

  1. Registration of Handlers

    • Anyone who comes into contact with Schedule IV and V drugs must register with the DEA. From the importer, or manufacturer, to the people in the pharmacy who dispense the drug, all legitimate handlers must have a unique DEA number. Requiring each customer to present his number to the supplier lessens the chance of illegal transactions.

    Transaction Recordkeeping

    • Handlers of all schedule drugs must keep accurate records of any transactions and complete inventories must be conducted every two years. These records allow complete tracing of any drug in the United States that is on one of the schedules. For Schedule IV and V drugs, these records must be kept "readily retrievable" but do not have to be kept separate from other records.

    Ordering Schedule IV and V Drugs

    • The DEA allows ordering of Schedule IV and V drugs over the phone, but the supplier must verify that the customer is authentic. This verification is important because the DEA holds suppliers accountable for any mistakes regarding valid registrations. Manufacturers must report the quantity and form of any narcotics to the DEA. Distributors and manufacturers must submit reports of annual inventories to the DEA.

    Drug Dispensing

    • Prescriptions for Schedule IV drugs may be written out or given over the phone. They can also be refilled up to five times in six months without requiring a new prescription. Some Schedule V drugs do not require a prescription, but the pharmacy must keep records of purchase in a special log. The purchaser must also be at least 18 and must show identification as proof of age.

Prescription Drugs - Related Articles