sudafed controls and e-scripts
by Dallas Carter
(Coos Bay)
Why do some pharmacies in Oregon refuse e-prescriptpions for Sudafed, calling it a schedule IV drug, while others are fine with electronic prescribing?
Reply:(by Keith in Oregon)
That's a good question. And since we're talking about Oregon, whatever the answer...it will probably be somewhat unique and convoluted compared to the other states. (I live in Oregon so I can say that).
The first answer is in defense of the pharmacies who don't accept e-scripts for DEA controlled substances. Just as some businesses don't care to accept American Express because of the increased expense in doing so, pharmacies are also businesses who determine what policies and practices are cost effective or prohibitive. DEA controlled drugs would have to be tracked separately and require some system upgrades and tweaks which cost money.
As far as the Pseudoephedrine products and how they're controlled, Oregon is special. In other states, they use the federal guidelines for selling products with Pseudoephedrine. For example, I can walk into a Walgreens in Vancouver, Washington and buy a couple of boxes of sudafed. I'll have to show my I.D. and can only buy a limited amount every so many days. However, since I'm not cooking meth in my bathtub it's no problem.
Then I can drive 5 miles south and over the Columbia River, pop into another Walgreens and they can't sell me ANYTHING with Pseudoephedrine in it without a prescription. I guess I don't mind, considering the trade-off which is not seeing the sheriff's haz-mat team putting caution tape around houses every week like before the laws changed.
Anyhow, as far as the e-script acceptance, could you elaborate a bit more about what you have experienced? The reason I ask is because e-scripts for DEA controlled drugs is still new and going through some growing pains.
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