Section 8.07. Partial dispensing.

 

(1)  A pharmacist may partially dispense a prescription containing a controlled substance listed in schedule III, IV and V.

(2)  The partial dispensing of a prescription containing a controlled substance listed in schedule II is permissible, if the pharmacist is unable to supply the full quantity called for in a written, electronic, or emergency oral prescription order, and the pharmacist makes a notation of the quantity supplied on the face of the written hard copy prescription order or written record of the electronic or emergency oral prescription order. The remaining portion of the prescription may be dispensed within 72 hours of the first partial dispensing. If the remaining portion is not dispensed within the 72 hour period, the pharmacist shall so notify the prescribing individual practitioner. No further quantity may be supplied beyond the 72 hours without a new prescription order.

(3)  Prescription orders for schedule II controlled substances written for patients in long term care facilities (LTCF) or for patients with a medical diagnosis documenting a terminal illness may be dispensed in partial quantities to include individual dosage units. The prescribing practitioner may document a terminal illness by writing upon the face of the prescription order the phrase "terminal illness" or words of similar meaning. If there is any question whether a patient may be classified as having a terminal illness, the pharmacist shall contact the prescribing practitioner prior to partially dispensing the prescription. Documentation of a terminal illness, whether substantiated by the presence of an appropriate phrase written upon the face of the prescription order or through pharmacist contact with the prescribing practitioner, shall be placed within the individual medication profile record maintained under s. Phar 7.07 . The pharmacist shall record on the prescription order whether the patient is"terminally ill" or an "LTCF patient." A prescription order that is partially dispensed and does not contain the notation "terminally ill" or"LTCF patient" shall be deemed to have been dispensed in violation of this section. For each partial dispensing, the dispensing pharmacist shall record on the back of the prescription order or on another appropriate record, uniformly maintained and readily retrievable, the date of the partial dispensing, quantity dispensed, remaining quantity authorized to be dispensed and the identification of the dispensing pharmacist. Subsequent partial dispensing is not permitted under this section if the patient becomes deceased, or is no longer diagnosed as terminally ill, or no longer resides within an LTCF. The total quantity of a schedule II controlled substance dispensed by partial dispensing may not exceed the total quantity prescribed. Prescription orders for schedule II controlled substances for patients in an LTCF or patients with a medical diagnosis documenting a terminal illness shall be valid for a period not to exceed 60 days from the issue date unless terminated earlier by the discontinuance of medication.

(4)  Information pertaining to current prescription orders for schedule II controlled substances for patients in an LTCF or for patients with a medical diagnosis documenting a terminal illness may be maintained in a computerized system if the system has the capability to permit:

(a) Display or printout of: the original prescription order designation; date of issue; identification of prescribing practitioner; identification of patient; name and address of the LTCF or name and address of the hospital or residence of the patient; identification of medication authorized, including dosage form, strength and quantity; listing of partial quantities that have been dispensed under each prescription order and the information required in sub. (3) .

(b) Immediate (real time) updating of the prescription order record each time there is partial dispensing of the prescription.

(c) Retrieval of partially dispensed schedule II prescription information identical to that required by s. Phar 7.05 (2) for all prescription renewal information.

History: Cr. Register, January, 1983, No. 325 , eff. 2-1-83; r. and recr. Register, August, 1991, No. 428 , eff. 9-1-91; am. (3), (4) (intro.) and (a), r. (5), Register, September, 1994, No. 465 , eff. 10-1-94; am. (2), Register, November, 1999, No. 527 , eff. 12-1-99; CR 13-075 : am. (2) Register August 2014 No. 704 , eff. 9-1-14; CR 15-064 : am. (2) Register September 2016 No. 729 , eff. 10-1-16.