UPDATED (July 7, 2020)
E-prescribing Law Waivers and Issues with Pharmacies
The VDA has heard from some members who were granted waivers by the Board of Dentistry and have had issues with pharmacies indicating that they are not aware of the waivers. The Board of Pharmacy provided all licensed pharmacists with information on the Mandatory E-Prescribing of Opioids effective July 1, 2020. The information that was sent to licensed pharmacists included the following:
“Please note that while pharmacists must continue to ensure only valid prescriptions are dispensed, the law does not require the pharmacist to determine if a non-electronic prescription for an opioid is exempted from electronic transmission requirements or if the prescriber has been issued a waiver by his or her licensing Board. Specifically, §54.1-3410(E) states that a ‘dispenser [eg, pharmacist] who receives a non-electronic prescription for a controlled substance containing an opioid is not required to verify that one of the exceptions set forth in §54.1-3408.02 applies and may dispense such controlled substance pursuant to such prescription and applicable law.’”
We would encourage those dentists who have been issued waivers to share this with any pharmacists who question non-electronic prescriptions for opioids. As highlighted above, pharmacists are clearly not required to verify waivers and may dispense for a non-electronic prescription.
Starting this Wednesday, July 1, all controlled substances that contain opioids in Virginia must be prescribed electronically. If your office prescribes controlled substances which contain an opioid and you do not meet the exceptions nor have you applied for a waiver, implementing a system for e-prescribing will be necessary by July 1, 2020.
For a detailed overview of this mandate and your options for complying you can find a VDA webinar here.
Important Information for VDA Members:
- Make sure none of the exceptions to the law apply to your practice. The electronic prescription mandate applies to “any prescription for a controlled substance that contains an opioid,” but there are exceptions to that mandate. One of those exceptions is that the prescription is issued in accordance with an executive order of the Governor of a declared emergency. This would mean that, a dentist may prescribe a controlled substance and note that COVID-19, pursuant to Executive Order 51, prevents the use of e-prescribing for a specific opioid prescription.
- If you have reviewed the law and would like to request a waiver, under certain circumstances the Board of Dentistry can grant up to a year’s delay in complying with the e-prescribing mandate. You can complete the waiver application here.
- If you do not apply for a waiver, and you prescribe opioids, your practice will need to comply with the e-prescribing mandate by July 1, 2020. As an exclusive member benefit, VDA members can save more than $550/year with the iCoreRx e-prescribing services. That savings is more than your annual dues to the VDA. The service is compatible with most practice management systems and is integrated with Virginia’s prescription monitoring program. To learn more, contact the iCoreConnect team at 888-810-7706 or visit them online.