Virginia Law

A. In addition to the requirements in § 54.1-3408.01 of the Code of Virginia for an oral prescription or written prescription, including those transmitted via facsimile or electronically, a prescription shall include a quantity or duration of the order by which the pharmacist can calculate the authorized quantity using directions for use. Except for prescriptions transmitted electronically in compliance with 18VAC110-20-285, written prescriptions shall also include the prescriber's manual signature. In cases of failed electronic prescriptions, Schedule VI prescriptions transmitted electronically may be routed to the pharmacy's facsimile machine and may bear an electronic signature.

B. After the prescription has been prepared and prior to the delivery of the order, a pharmacist shall inspect the prescription product to verify its accuracy in all respects and place his initials on the record of dispensing as a certification of the accuracy of and the responsibility for the entire transaction. If more than one pharmacist is involved in verifying the accuracy of the prescription product, a record shall be maintained identifying the date of dispensing, each pharmacist involved in the process, and the individual task for which each pharmacist is responsible for verifying the accuracy. Such record showing verification of accuracy shall be maintained on a pharmacy record and, if necessary, an alternate record consistent with 18VAC110-20-255 for the required time period of two years unless otherwise specified in regulation. If the dispensing involves central or remote processing, records of pharmacist verification shall be maintained in a manner consistent with 18VAC110-20-276 and 18VAC110-20-515.

C. If a pharmacist declines to fill a prescription for any reason other than the unavailability of the drug prescribed, he shall record on the back of the prescription the word "declined"; the name, address, and telephone number of the pharmacy; the date filling of the prescription was declined; and the signature of the pharmacist.

D. If a pharmacist determines from a prescriber or by other means, including the use of his professional judgment, that a prescription presented for dispensing is a forgery, the pharmacist may refuse to return the forged prescription to the person presenting it. The forged prescription may be given to a law-enforcement official investigating the forgery, or it shall be retained for a minimum of 30 days before destroying it in the event it is needed for an investigative or other legitimate purpose.

E. An on-hold prescription shall be entered into the automated data processing system if such system is employed by the pharmacy, and a pharmacist shall verify the accuracy of the data entry at that time. The pharmacist subsequently dispensing the on-hold prescription on a future date shall, at a minimum, conduct a prospective drug review consistent with § 54.1-3319 A of the Code of Virginia. If an on-hold prescription is returned to a patient prior to the initial dispensing of the drug, the pharmacist shall delete the entry in the automated data processing system.

F. A pharmacy may use a drop box for the collection of written prescriptions and refill requests. The drop box shall be located in a visible area within the permitted facility and shall be locked at all times with access to the items placed in the drop box restricted to pharmacists practicing at the pharmacy or an authorized pharmacy technician practicing at the pharmacy when a pharmacist is on duty. The drop box shall be constructed in a manner to prevent the theft or loss of a written prescription or confidential information and shall be bolted to the floor or a fixed structure. Pharmacists shall in some manner inform the public that containers left in a drop box for refill should not contain unused drugs.