Can Schedule II prescriptions be dispensed via fax to a pharmacy?

• A. Yes, in all cases
• B. Yes, under hospital approval
• C. No; Schedule II prescriptions cannot be dispensed via fax
• D. Only with a DEA waiver

Answer: (C)

Schedule II prescriptions must be written and signed by the prescriber; a faxed transmission does not alone count as the original prescription for dispensing. In general, you cannot dispense a Schedule II based solely on a fax. There are only limited, specific institutional exceptions (such as in certain hospital, long-term care, hospice, or home-infusion settings) where a fax can initiate dispensing, but the hard copy with the signature must follow within a set timeframe. The other choices imply blanket allowances that don’t exist: there isn’t a universal hospital approval rule or a DEA waiver that changes the basic requirement.