Delay Of Tamper Resistant Prescription Pad Rule Ends April 1, USA

Main Category: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Article Date: 22 Feb 2008 - 4:00 PST

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On April 1, 2008, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regulation requiring the use of tamper resistant prescription pads for Medicaid beneficiaries will go into effect. This date reflects the new requirement was delayed six months after sharp criticism from pharmacists, prescribers and state Medicaid programs.

CMS has also made a several exceptions to the requirement. Prescriptions for hospital inpatients and residents of long-term care facilities will not be subject to the Tamper resistant prescription pads will be required for hospital outpatients and the community retail setting.

CMS has also noted that the use of indelible ink does not meet the requirements set forth in the law. Computer generated prescriptions, including electronic medical record computer generated prescriptions, issued between April 1, 2008 and October 1, 2008, may meet the requirements by containing one or more of the baseline requirements outlined in their August 2007 guidance.

Beginning in October 2008, computer generated prescriptions must include industry-recognized features designed to prevent unauthorized copying of a prescription form, erasure or modification of information written by a prescriber; or use of counterfeit prescription forms.

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists