Prescription Transfer Laws

For the purposes of refill dispensing, original prescription information may be transferred from one pharmacy to another when done manually. Transfer of prescriptions for controlled substances listed in Schedule III, IV, or V are allowable between pharmacies only once, according to the U.S. Office of Diversion Control. Schedule III substances are non-barbiturate sedatives and non-amphetamine stimulants while Schedule V are drugs containing limited amounts of codeine.

Written Prescriptions

• Only licensed pharmacists may perform a transfer of an original prescription, according to the deadiversion.usdoj.gov website. The word "void" is written on the face of the invalidated script by the transferring pharmacist. The transfer information is added to the prescription record on those transfers processed electronically. The name and address along with the Drug Enforcement Administration number of the receiving pharmacy is written on the reverse side of the invalidated script. The name of the receiving pharmacist is also written on the reverse side of the invalidated script. As stated previously, the same information is recorded with the prescription information on electronically processed prescriptions. The transfer date and name of the pharmacist performing the transfer is also made part of the permanent record.

Oral Prescriptions

• A prescription received orally from a qualified practitioner and recorded in writing by the pharmacist is also subject to transfer laws. The prescription information written by the pharmacist after orally receiving it is now considered the official script and the word "transfer" must be written on this document by the receiving pharmacist. Information to be included is the date the original prescription was issued, date of original dispensing and the original number of authorized refills. Location where refills were dispensed and any valid refills remaining is also included with the prescription information. The name and address, DEA registration number and prescription number of both receiving and transferring pharmacies and pharmacists is made a part of the permanent record.

Electronic Prescriptions

• Laws on transfers done electronically are identical to those of oral prescriptions as stated above. The receiving pharmacist creates an electronic record of the prescription information with all the same data as required in the manual and oral prescription transfers. Laws require a two-year retention of prescription records, both original and transferred, from the last refill dispensed.