TAMPER-RESISTANT PRESCIPTION PADS

ATTENTION WYOMING EQUALITYCARE PHARMACY PROVIDERS—IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW!!!

On May 25, 2007 Section 7002(b) of the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina Recovery and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007 was signed into law. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance providing baseline requirements to States to define and implement tamper-resistant prescription pads as required by this law on August 17, 2007.  On September 29, 2007 these requirements were delayed by President Bush until April 1, 2008.

 

The above law requires ALL written, non-electronic prescriptions for EqualityCare outpatient drugs must be executed on tamper-resistant pads in order for them to be reimburseable by the federal government. In order to meet the standards set forth in this law and to decrease prescription tampering to the greatest extent possible at this time, EqualityCare has instituted the following requirements.

 

In addition to all current Wyoming Board of Pharmacy Requirements for Tamper-Resistant Prescription forms, all prescriptions paid for by EqualityCare must meet the following requirements to ensure that tampering does not occur:

 

Written prescriptions: 

·         As of April 1, 2008 must contain one, and as of October 1, 2008, must contain all three of the following characteristics:

1.      One or more industry-recognized features designed to prevent unauthorized copying of a completed or blank prescription form.  In order to meet this requirement all written prescriptions must contain:

¨      Some type of “void” or “illegal” pantograph that appears if the prescription is copied. 

¨      May also contain any of the features listed within category one or that meets the standards set forth in this category.

2.      One or more industry-recognized features designed to prevent the erasure or modification of information written on the prescription by the prescriber. 

THIS REQUIREMENT APPLIES ONLY TO PRESCRIPTIONS WRITTEN FOR CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES!

In order to meet this requirement all written prescriptions must contain:

¨      Quantity check-off boxes PLUS numeric form of  quantity values

            OR alpha and numeric forms of quantity value

¨      Refill Indicator (circle or check number of refills or “NR”) PLUS numeric form of refill values

OR alpha and numeric form of refill values

¨      May also contain any of the features listed within category one or that meets the standards set forth in this category.

3.      One or more industry-recognized features designed to prevent the use of counterfeit prescription forms.  In order to meet this requirement all written prescriptions must contain:

¨      Security features and descriptions listed on the FRONT of the prescription blank.

¨      May also contain any of the features listed within category three or that meets the standards set forth in this category.

 

Computer Printed Prescriptions:

·         As of April 1, 2008 must contain one, and as of October 1, 2008, must contain all three of the following characteristics:

1.      One or more industry-recognized features designed to prevent unauthorized copying of a completed or blank prescription form.  In order to meet this requirement all prescriber’s computer printed prescriptions must contain:

¨      Same as above for this category.

2.      One or more industry-recognized features designed to prevent the erasure or modification of information written on the prescription by the prescriber.  In order to meet this requirement all prescriber’s computer printed prescriptions must contain:

¨      Same as above for this category

3.      One or more industry-recognized features designed to prevent the use of counterfeit prescription forms.  In order to meet this requirement all prescriber’s computer printed prescriptions must contain:

¨      Security features and descriptions listed on the FRONT or BACK of the prescription blank.

¨      May also contain any of the features listed within category three or that meets the standards set forth in this category.

 

Inclusion of other industry recognized features on a prescription are acceptable if desired, however, the above features will be mandatory for all prescriptions paid for by EqualityCare as of the dates referenced above.

 

The following are some examples of current industry standards for each of the above categories.  They are subject to change and updating and are not exhaustive lists.  Judgment must be used to place security features available, but not shown in these lists, in a particular category.

 

CATEGORY 1:  One or more industry-recognized features designed to prevent unauthorized

copying of a completed or blank prescription form.