It is unlawful to fill a prescription for a legend drug from a pharmacy-produced copy. Which statement best reflects this rule?

• A. It is unlawful to fill a prescription for a legend drug from a pharmacy-produced copy.
• B. It is lawful to fill such copies with pharmacist approval.
• C. It is permissible if the patient requests it.
• D. It is permitted for non-prescription drugs only.

Answer: (A)

Prescriptions for legend drugs must be based on a valid order from a prescriber, not a copy produced by the pharmacy. A pharmacy-generated copy can’t substitute for the original prescription because it bypasses the prescriber’s direct authorization and the safeguards that verify authenticity and intent. This protects patient safety, ensures the prescriber’s instructions are clear, and maintains accurate dispensing records.

Pharmacist approval does not make it lawful to fill from a copy, and a patient’s request does not change the requirement. The rule isn’t about non-prescription drugs, since legend drugs require a legitimate prescription. In practice, dispense only when you have the original prescription or a legally valid electronic prescription; if a copy is all that’s presented, obtain a proper prescription or confirmation from the prescriber.