Rules for prescribing drugs as a new MD

[powermd]

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It's hilarious that no one ever addressed this while I was in medical school, but what are the rules I should know about prescribing drugs as a just-graduated MD? Can I call in a prescription for myself or a family member to a pharmacy? How does this change with respect to my changing professional status as I pass step 3, get a licence, graduate residency?

 

[flighterdoc]

It's hilarious that no one ever addressed this while I was in medical school, but what are the rules I should know about prescribing drugs as a just-graduated MD? Can I call in a prescription for myself or a family member to a pharmacy? How does this change with respect to my changing professional status as I pass step 3, get a licence, graduate residency?

Once you have a license you can apply for a DEA number (takes a few months, I understand) and then you can write your scripts. http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/online_forms.htm


States may also have restrictions / controls.

 

[mdblue]

You don't need a DEA # to prescribe regular meds other than narcs.Your training license is sufficient for the others.

 

[Annette]

My program added some restrictions as well. Can't prescribe for anyone you don't keep a medical chart. Helps keep you safe from staff members, etc, asking you for a script, especially when they need to see their own doc.

 

[Smurfette]

Hmm...I'm confused. Maybe it's the state I live in, but the interns (actually anyone who hasn't passed step 3) here cannot write outpatient scripts. Within the hospital, med orders are carried out on their signatures, but when patients are discharged, they require someone who has a DEA# (though writing the DEA# isn't necessary) to sign any med presciptions. They can write scripts for work releases and durable medical equipment, though. This is true at other hospitals I've rotated at as well. Anybody else encounter this?