Can a physician pre-sign triplicate prescriptions?

Question

Can a physician pre-sign triplicates, for adderall, concerta and such, and have his staff write them? My children's doctor does this, signs about 30 at a time and then his staff (some not licensed) fills out the medicine, dosage etc. Is this legal?

Answer 1

I doubt that unless there is not a legitimate use for the medication and / or there is not a doctor / patient relationship then the DEA will not bother with it.

The doctor is ultimately signing the rx's therefore they are responsible for what is being written on them. Its pretty stupid on the doctors part.

Answer 2

yes

Answer 3

Extremely illegal. It saves about 5 seconds and opens the door to tremendous potential for abuse.

Section 1306 of the Code of Federal Regulations defines all these rules.

Right off the bat this practice violates the first sentance of the prescribing regulations:

"All prescriptions for controlled substances shall be dated as of, and signed on, the day when issued ..."

Answer 4

It would be an egregious violation of DEA guidelines.