Final answer:
The law allows pharmacists to dispense Schedule II drugs in emergencies via a verbal order from the physician, with substances like fentanyl and oxycodone being included, and requires a follow-up written prescription within a specified time frame.
Step-by-step explanation:
The law concerning the filling of Schedule II drugs in emergency situations allows a pharmacist to dispense a controlled substance when certain conditions are met. This is particularly relevant in scenarios where immediate administration of the medication is necessary, and no appropriate alternative treatment is available. Schedule II drugs include substances with a high potential for abuse, such as opium, heroin, fentanyl, morphine, oxycodone, and Vicodin. To legally fill a prescription in an emergency, the pharmacist must receive a verbal order from the prescribing physician that includes all the necessary information required for a prescription, except the signature. The pharmacist is also required to make a note of the emergency situation and the reason for the oral authorization, and they must receive a written prescription from the prescribing physician within a set period (usually 72 hours) post-emergency dispensing.