What action must be taken 7 days after a faxed C-II prescription is sent from an LTC facility?

In the context of the regulations governing controlled substances, specifically C-II prescriptions, when a prescription is faxed from a long-term care (LTC) facility, there is a requirement that the original prescription must be provided to the pharmacy within a specified timeframe, which is typically within 7 days after the fax is sent. This regulation ensures that the pharmacy has the official paper prescription as a part of the patient's medication record, maintaining compliance with both state and federal laws governing controlled substances.

The purpose of this requirement is to guard against potential misuse and ensure that all prescriptions for controlled substances are properly documented and verified. It helps prevent any discrepancies in the medication supply chain that could occur if only the faxed copy were utilized. The original prescription serves as an essential audit trail for both the prescriber and the pharmacy.

While there may be variations in specific regulations across states regarding the handling of faxed prescriptions, in Kentucky the expectation is that the original must be provided to the pharmacy. Therefore, fulfilling this requirement within the specified 7-day period is critical for compliance and patient safety.