calling in non-controlled substances without providing DEA # in CA

[ferroportin]

I have a DEA # and a license in California. When I call in a prescription for a non-controlled substance to a particular pharmacy for a patient, the pharmacist requests my DEA #. My understanding is that providing an NPI + license # obviates a DEA # in this situation, and therefore the pharmacy has to accept the the prescription without a DEA #. But can anyone familiar with California prescription law ascertain this?

(I suspect that this question would have occurred previously, but nothing comes up in searches.)

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[jdh71]

I have a DEA # and a license in California. When I call in a prescription for a non-controlled substance to a particular pharmacy for a patient, the pharmacist requests my DEA #. My understanding is that providing an NPI + license # obviates a DEA # in this situation, and therefore the pharmacy has to accept the the prescription without a DEA #. But can anyone familiar with California prescription law ascertain this?

(I suspect that this question would have occurred previously, but nothing comes up in searches.)

In most states it is at the discretion of the pharmacist if they will fill a rx or not. So sometimes you are just out of luck. But you are correct, you do not need to provide a DEA# for non-scheduled medications. You can politely point out that you do not need to provide that information for non-scheduled medications and you will not be. If the pharmacist says they won't fill it, then call another pharmacy. I've been to California, there is more than one 🙂.

 

[ferroportin]

If the pharmacist says they won't fill it, then call another pharmacy. I've been to California, there is more than one 🙂.

So that's the crux of the matter. See, this is a clinic patient's regular pharmacy. His insurance may have a contract with it to ensure low prices, which is why he wants everything to go through that one. If I call it in to another pharmacy, it may be more expensive for him. From what you're saying, however, there is no way to compel the pharmacist to use only the identifier data necessary.

 

[Gastrapathy]

Why do you care?

 

[jdh71]

So that's the crux of the matter. See, this is a clinic patient's regular pharmacy. His insurance may have a contract with it to ensure low prices, which is why he wants everything to go through that one. If I call it in to another pharmacy, it may be more expensive for him. From what you're saying, however, there is no way to compel the pharmacist to use only the identifier data necessary.

All you can do then is try another pharmacy. If it's a big name brand pharmacy then use another store in the chain. You aren't powerless.

 

[ferroportin]

Why do you care?

Because I'd prefer not to have my pts pay more than they gave to.

 

[ferroportin]

All you can do then is try another pharmacy. If it's a big name brand pharmacy then use another store in the chain. You aren't powerless.

Ok, thanks.

 

[Gastrapathy]

No, why do you care if they get your DEA#?

 

[gutonc]

No, why do you care if they get your DEA#?

^This. There are a lot of things for you to get butthurt about. This shouldn't be one of them.

 

[ferroportin]

No, why do you care if they get your DEA#?

Oh, ok. I mean, I know it's not secret like a SSN, but I'd prefer not to provide it to people I don't have to. Less worry in the future lest some genius gets ahold of it and tries to fill a script for 5 pounds of Dilaudid. (Yes, I recognize that I wouldn't necessarily be in trouble for that, but it would be an annoyance. )

 

[Gastrapathy]

They already have it. Its a question of whether or not you know it. Its in their computer system with your name (which is why they want to look you up with it).

 

[jdh71]

I don't give out my DEA to pharmacists for non scheduled meds. Why do I care? Because I do. It's a matter of principle. Pharmacists can get ****ed if they don't like it. Have a problem with my albuterol, prednisone and azithromycin?? Go **** yourself. Google me. It's all I do.

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

See I'm the opposite. When I call something in, I always use my DEA. A) I don't know my NPI by heart and B) It prevents this exact scenario.

I won't fault anyone for taking jdh's approach, I just don't have the energy to argue with pharmacists anymore.

 

[gutonc]

I won't fault anyone for taking jdh's approach, I just don't have the energy to argue with pharmacists anymore.

Retail pharmacists (especially at chains) are some of the most miserable human beings on the planet.

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

Retail pharmacists (especially at chains) are some of the most miserable human beings on the planet.

Yeah, and I can't blame them. 4 years of school to literally count pills and be yelled at by patients and doctors.

 

[rokshana]

there is no need to give the number to the pharmacist ...they should be able to look it up with your npi number...and you don't have to give them an npi number either...that's publicly available ...many times its just for verification, especially if this is the 1st time you are calling in a Rx, but then they usually will ask for an office number...even if you give none of that information, they can look it all up.

 

[flipmd]

there is no need to give the number to the pharmacist ...they should be able to look it up with your npi number...and you don't have to give them an npi number either...that's publicly available ...many times its just for verification, especially if this is the 1st time you are calling in a Rx, but then they usually will ask for an office number...even if you give none of that information, they can look it all up.

Yeah, they laugh at me when I tell them to hold on while I google my NPI. I don't find it funny, because it's easier if THEY google it. But I guess they use it to verify if they spelled my name right because my name's not that common.