According to FDA guidelines for prescriptions of controlled substances, which statement is correct?

• A. Date issued and signature; drug name; strength; dosage form; quantity; directions; prescriber name and registration number.
• B. Date of issue; patient’s full name and address; drug name; strength; dosage form; quantity; directions; prescriber name, address and registration number.
• C. Patient date of birth and insurance details.
• D. Only the drug name and dosage form.

Answer: (B)

Prescriptions for controlled substances require complete patient and prescriber identification along with full drug details to ensure proper tracking and accountability. The best choice includes the date of issue, the patient’s full name and address, the drug name, strength, dosage form, the quantity, the directions for use, and the prescriber’s name, address, and registration number (the DEA number). This combination covers who the patient is, what is being prescribed, how to use it, and who issued it with a verifiable registration.

If you look at the other options, one omits the patient’s identifying information, which is essential for verification and recordkeeping. Another adds irrelevant items like insurance details or only includes minimal data, which would fail to meet the required level of detail. The most complete and compliant statement is the one that has all the patient and prescriber details plus the full drug information.