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pharmacy with the manually signed
original prescriptions prior to dispensing. Practically, it is unlikely that
most patients will want to wait the time required for such a transaction to
be completed. Is it possible for
an Internet pharmacy to fill prescriptions for Schedule III-V controlled
substances? Internet pharmacies may receive an
original signed prescription or a facsimile of the original signed prescription, or an
oral prescription, where allowed, which must be verified and immediately
reduced to writing.. Internet pharmacies have the responsibility to ensure
the legitimacy of the prescription and the prescribers. At this time, DEA
does not permit a prescription received via the Internet to be filled. If
prescription information is transmitted via the Internet, the receiving
pharmacy must contact the prescribers via telephone and receive an oral
prescription for the controlled substance, including the full name and
address of the patient, the drug name, strength, dosage form, quantity
prescribed, directions for use and the name, address and registration number
of the practitioner (21 CFR 1306.05{ať. The pharmacy must immediately reduce
this oral prescription to writing (21 CFR 1306.21(ať. Is it legal to buy
controlled substances from foreign Internet sites and have them shipped to
the U.S.? No. Having controlled substances shipped to the U.S. is illegal unless the purchaser is registered with DEA as an importer and is in compliance with 21 U.S.C. 952, 953 and 954 and 21 CFR part 1312. Some foreign Internet sites claim they can legally sell these controlled substances; other sites, knowing that such shipments are illegal, advise consumers |
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of ways to avoid having the packages
seized by U.S. Customs. The Controlled Substances Act prohibits any person
from importing into the customs territory of the U.S. any controlled
substance or List I chemical (21 U.S.C 971 and 21 CFR part 1313) unless that
person maintains a valid, current authorization to import such substances or
chemicals (21 U.S.C. 957(ať. Illegal importation of controlled substances is
a felony that may result in imprisonment and fines (21 U.S.C. 960). Does it make a
difference if an individual has a prescription from a U.S. doctor for
controlled substances and buys from a foreign Internet site? No. The law remains the same. The
only condition in which controlled substances may be shipped to a purchaser
in the U.S. from another country is if the purchaser is registered with DEA
as an importer and is in compliance with DEA's requirements. Are the rules
different for "life style" drugs? Some people have applied the phrase
"life style drugs" to certain medications, such as Viagra@, weight control medications, and tranquilizers. Many
of the so-called life style drugs, such as Viagra@, are not controlled
substances. If a "life style" drug is a controlled substance,
however, it is still subject to all regulations for controlled substances. In
order to have a prescription filled for a "life style" drug that is
a controlled substance, DEA requires a prescription from a DEA registered
prescribers and the prescription must be filled by a DEA registered pharmacy.
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What does the VIPPS
Seal seen on some Internet pharmacy sites mean? The National Association of Boards
of Pharmacy (NABP) has developed a voluntary program called the Verified
Internet Pharmacy Practice sites (VIPPS) The NABP issues a "seal of
approval" to Internet pharmacies that meet standards regarding State
licensing and DEA registration. To be VIPPS certified, a pharmacy must comply
with the licensing and inspection requirements of their State and each State to which they dispense
pharmaceuticals. In addition, pharmacies displaying the VIPPS seal have
demonstrated to NABP their compliance with VIPPS criteria, including patient
rights to privacy; authentication and security of prescription orders; adherence
to a recognized quality assurance policy; and provision of meaningful
consultation between patients and pharmacists. The NABP also provides
information on whether a pharmacy is licensed and in good standing
(http://www.nabp.net). Where should
complaints be directed regarding an "Internet Pharmacy" site that
appears to be illegally selling drugs? If the complaint involves a pharmaceutical controlled
substance, you may file a report in one of the following "'ways ˇ on-line at
www.deadiversion.usdoi.gov, [Report Suspicious Internet Pharmacies] .:. by mail sent to DEA, Office
of Diversion Control, Drug Operations Section, Washington, DC 20537 ˇ by telephone at (202) 307-7194 or |
