Rhode Island Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence (MPJE) Practice Exam

In what situation can an apothecary fill a CII prescription based on a verbal order only?

1. Customer request

2. Emergency situation

3. Veterinarian authorization

4. Prescription transfer

The correct answer is: Emergency situation

In Rhode Island, as well as under federal law, an apothecary can fill a Schedule II (CII) prescription based on a verbal order only in an emergency situation. The law recognizes that there are circumstances where immediate administration of a medication classified as a CII may be critical for a patient's health or well-being, and waiting for a written prescription could significantly impede necessary treatment. During such emergencies, a practitioner may call in a prescription, and the pharmacist is allowed to dispense the medication based on that verbal order. However, certain stipulations apply: the pharmacist must validate that the situation truly qualifies as an emergency, and the amount dispensed should not exceed what is necessary for the emergency period. Following this, the practitioner is required to provide a written prescription to the pharmacist within a specific timeframe, which ensures that proper documentation exists after the fact. This approach is not applicable to the other options presented. For instance, a customer’s request does not constitute an emergency; therefore, verbal authorization is insufficient for processing a CII prescription. Similarly, while veterinarians can prescribe medications for animals, the regulations surrounding the verbal order of a CII prescription still necessitate other forms of authorization. Lastly, prescriptions cannot be transferred in the same way as medications