Final answer:
Practitioners may issue multiple prescriptions for a 90-day supply of Schedule II drugs, ensuring each is written for a legitimate purpose, the patient has an ongoing need, and clear instructions are included for fill dates to mitigate risks of addiction and overdose.
Step-by-step explanation:
Under certain conditions, a practitioner may issue multiple prescriptions authorizing a patient to receive a total of up to a 90-day supply of a Schedule II controlled substance. These conditions include: the prescription must be written for a legitimate medical purpose by an individual practitioner acting in the usual course of professional practice, the patient must have an ongoing need for the controlled substance, and each separate prescription must include written instructions indicating the earliest date on which a pharmacy may fill each prescription. This practice is in compliance with federal regulations and state laws, and it is intended to reduce the potential for addiction and overdose while ensuring patients have access to necessary medication for pain management.