Final answer:
An emergency C-II prescription may be filled when immediate medication is necessary, there is no alternative treatment, and the prescriber cannot immediately provide a written prescription. The prescriber must follow up with a written prescription within a specified time frame.
Step-by-step explanation:
An emergency C-II prescription is a term that refers to a situation in which a prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance is written, oral, or faxed in the event of an emergency. The Controlled Substances Act allows for such prescriptions under specific conditions to ensure that a patient can receive necessary medication when a written prescription cannot be provided immediately.
For a pharmacist to fill an emergency C-II prescription, the practitioner must determine that:
- Immediate administration of the medication is necessary for proper treatment.
- No appropriate alternative treatment is available, including a non-scheduled drug.
- It is not reasonably possible for the prescribing practitioner to provide a written prescription to be presented to the person dispensing the substance, before dispensing.
Furthermore, within a certain period (typically 7 days after the prescription is filled), the prescribing practitioner is required to provide a written and signed prescription to the pharmacy, specifying that it is for an emergency situation. If this is not provided, the pharmacy may be subject to legal penalties, and the situation must be reported to the DEA.
Remember that regulations may vary by jurisdiction and always check with the latest DEA guidelines and your local laws regarding the filling of C-II prescriptions.