South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Subchapter 61-4 - Controlled Substances
Part 1200 - Controlled Substances Listed in Schedules III, IV and V
Section 61-4.1200.1202 - Refilling of Prescriptions

(1) Any such proposed computerized system shall provide online retrieval (via CRT display or hard-copy printout) information for those prescription orders which are currently authorized for refilling. This shall include, but is not limited to data such as the original prescription number, date of issuance of the original prescription order by the practitioner, full name and address of the patient, name, address, and DEA registration number of the practitioner, and the name, strength, dosage form, quantity of the controlled substance prescribed (and quantity dispensed if different from the quantity prescribed), and the total number of refills authorized by the prescribing practitioner.

(2) Any such proposed computerized system shall also provide on-line retrieval (via CRT display or hard-copy printout) of the current refill history for Schedule III, IV, or V controlled substance prescription orders (those authorized for refill during the past six months). This refill history shall include, but is not limited to, the name of the controlled substance, the date of refill, the quantity dispensed, the identification code, or name or initials of the dispensing pharmacist for each refill and the total number of refills dispensed to date for that prescription order.

(3) Documentation of the fact that the refill information entered into the computer each time a pharmacist refills an original prescription order for a Schedule III, IV, or V controlled substance is correct shall be provided by the individual pharmacist who makes use of such a system. If such a system provides a hard-copy of each day's controlled substance prescription order refill data, that print-out shall be verified, dated, and signed by the individual pharmacist who refilled such a prescription order. The individual pharmacist shall verify that the data indicated is correct and then sign this document in the same manner as he or she would sign a check or legal document (e.g. J.H. Smith or John H. Smith). This document shall be maintained in a separate file at that pharmacy for a period of two years from the dispensing date. This printout of the day's controlled substance prescription order refill data shall be provided to each pharmacy using such a computerized system within 72 hours of the date on which the refill was dispensed. It shall be verified and signed by each pharmacist who is involved with such dispensing. In lieu of such a printout, the pharmacy shall maintain a bound log book, or separate file, in which each individual pharmacist involved in such dispensing shall sign a statement (in the manner previously described) each day, attesting to the fact that the refill information entered into the computer that day has been reviewed by him or her and is correct as shown. Such a book or file shall be maintained at the pharmacy employing such a system for a period of two years after the date of dispensing the appropriately authorized refill.

(4) Any such computerized system shall have the capability of producing a print-out of any refill data which the user pharmacy is responsible for maintaining under the Act and its implementing regulation. For example, this would include a refill-by-refill audit trail for any specified strength and dosage form of any controlled substance (by either brand or generic name or both.) Such a print-out shall indicate name of the prescribing practitioner, name and address of the patient, quantity dispensed on each refill, date of dispensing for each refill, name or identification code of the dispensing pharmacist and the number of the original prescription order. In any computerized system employed by a user pharmacy the central record-keeping location shall be capable of sending the print-out to the pharmacy within 48 hours, and if a DEA Special Agent or compliance Investigator or an Inspector from DHEC requests a copy of such print-out from the user pharmacy it shall, if requested to do so by the Agent, Investigator, or Inspector verify the print-out transmittal capability of its system by documentation (e.g. postmark).

(5) In the event that a pharmacy which employs such a computerized system experiences system down-time, the pharmacy shall have an auxiliary procedure which will be used for the documentation of refills of Schedule III, IV, and V controlled substance prescription orders. This auxiliary procedure shall insure that refills are authorized by the original prescription order, that the maximum number of refills has not been exceeded, and that all of the appropriate data is retained for on-line data entry as soon as the computer system is available for use again.