Law MattersGavel image-January 2010

William E. Fassett, Ph.D., R.Ph.
Professor of Pharmacy Law & Ethics
Washington State University – Spokane

BOARD OF PHARMACY PLACES CARISOPRODOL IN SCHEDULE IV

On February 5, 2010, carisoprodol will become a C-IV product in Washington, as it is in at least 15 other states. No prescription for a Schedule IV substance may be refilled more than 5 times or after 6 months from the date written, so prescriptions for carisoprodol written prior to February 5, 2010 are expired when they have been refilled 5 times or are over 6 months old on or after February 5th.

Examples of how to handle currently refillable prescriptions:

 

Example 1: A prescription was written December 10, 2009 for carisoprodol 300 mg #120, 1 qid, refill x 11. It was refilled on January 10, 2010. It may be refilled up to 4 more times prior to May 10, 2010.

 

Example 2: A prescription was written June 4, 2009 for carisprodol 300 mg #120, 1 qid, refill PRN. It has been refilled on the 4th of the month (approximately) each month since, including January 4, 2010. It could be refilled one more time on February 4, 2010, but not on or after February 5, 2010, since it would be more than 6 months old and have been refilled more than 5 times.

Add Carisoprodol Product Counts to the Biennial Inventory of Controlled Substances

Pharmacies will need to make a count of carisoprodol products in their inventory on February 5, 2010 and add the count to their biennial inventory of controlled substances. Since carisoprodol is C-IV, pharmacists may estimate the quantities in opened containers unless the container size is 1,000-ct or more, in which case an exact count must be made.