Final answer:
Schedule II prescription restrictions allow a practitioner to issue up to a 90-day supply through multiple prescriptions with correct documentation and no undue risk of abuse or diversion. The prescribing physician must follow state laws and regularly assess the patient's therapy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Restrictions on CII Prescriptions
Controlled substances classified as Schedule II (CII) have strict regulations due to their high potential for abuse and dependency. The restrictions for issuing multiple CII prescriptions for the same drug to the same patient are established to prevent drug abuse and diversion while ensuring that patients with legitimate medical needs receive appropriate treatment. A practitioner can issue multiple prescriptions authorizing a patient to receive a total of up to a 90-day supply of a CII medication. However, each prescription must be written on a separate prescription blank and must include a legitimate medical purpose with appropriate instructions on each. The practitioner must provide directions indicating the earliest date on which a pharmacy may fill each prescription.
A critical requirement is that the practitioner must determine there is no undue risk of diversion or abuse by issuing multiple prescriptions. Additionally, the practitioner must comply with all relevant state laws and regulations that may impose stricter limitations. It is also important to note that the practitioner must perform an in-person medical evaluation prior to writing the prescriptions and must maintain regular assessments of the patient's therapy. These measures ensure that the use of CII substances remains within safe and controlled circumstances.
When multiple CII prescriptions are given, it's essential to assess the patient's history, the potential for abuse, and consider the implementation of additional monitoring strategies, such as prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs).