MA MPJE COMPREHENSIVE ANSWERS AND
QUESTIONS SET A+
✔An emergency oral prescription for Schedule II controlled drugs must be mailed to
dispensing pharmacy by an authorized prescriber within:
a. 48 hours after an oral authorization.
b. 7 days after an oral authorization.
c. 10 days after an oral authorization.
d. 72 hours after an oral authorization. - ✔✔(b) 7 days after an oral authorization, [247
CMR 5.03(3)].
In case of an emergency situation, a pharmacist may dispense a controlled substance
in Schedule II upon receiving the orally or electronically transmitted authorization of a
prescribing practitioner, provided that:
(a). The quantity prescribed and dispensed is limited to the amount adequate to treat
the patient during the emergency period.
(b). The prescription contains all information required by M.G.L. c. 94C, § 20(a) except
for the actual signature of the prescribing practitioner, and in the case of an oral
prescription, or prescription transmitted electronically by computer modem or other
similar electronic device, the prescription is immediately reduced to writing by the
dispensing pharmacist; and
(c). The dispensing pharmacist makes a reasonable good faith effort to determine that
the orally or electronically transmitted authorization was issued by an authorized
practitioner, which effort may include a callback to the prescribing practitioner or other
good faith efforts to ensure the prescribing practitioner's identity.
Within seven days after authorizing an emergency oral prescription, the prescribing
practitioner shall cause a written prescription for the emergency quantity prescribed to
be delivered to the pharmacy which must have written on its face "Authorization for
Emergency Dispensing" and should comply with federal and state law.
,Upon receipt of the written prescription, the dispensing pharmacist shall attach the
prescription to the orally or electronically transmitted emergency prescription which had
earlier been reduced to writing.
✔✔After dispensing an emergency Schedule II drug, the pharmacist has to contact
which of the following upon not receiving a written prescription from the prescriber within
7 days?
I. The DEA Office
II. The U.S. Department of Justice
III. The Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health
a. I only
b. I and II only
c. II and III only
d. All - ✔✔d) All, [247 CMR 5.03(4) And M.G.L Chapter 94C, Section 20c].
After dispensing an emergency Schedule II drug, the pharmacist has to contact the DEA
office, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Commissioner of the Massachusetts
Department of Public Health upon not receiving a written prescription from the
prescriber within 7 days of an emergency oral authorization.
M.G.L Chapter 94C, Section 20c: Persons charged with the enforcement of this chapter
shall report violations of this subsection to the board of registration in medicine, the
board of registration in dentistry, the board of registration in podiatry or the board of
registration in veterinary medicine, whichever is applicable, and to the commissioner or
board of registration in pharmacy, whichever is applicable.
✔✔An oral prescription for Tylenol No.3 must be mailed to dispensing pharmacy by an
authorized prescriber within:
a. 48 hours after an oral authorization.
b. 7 days after an oral authorization.
c. 10 days after an oral authorization.
d. 72 hours after an oral authorization. - ✔✔(b) Within 7 days after an oral authorization,
[M.G.L Chapter 94C, Section 18c And M.G.L Chapter 94C, Section 20c].
Whenever a practitioner dispenses a controlled substance by oral prescription, such
practitioner shall, within a period of not more than seven days or such shorter period
that is required by federal law cause a written prescription for the prescribed controlled
substance to be delivered to the dispensing pharmacy.
The prescription may be delivered to the pharmacy in person or by mail, but if delivered
by mail the envelope shall be postmarked within the seven-day period or such shorter
period that is required by federal law.
,Upon receipt, the dispensing pharmacy shall attach said prescription to the oral
prescription which the pharmacy has reduced to writing.
✔✔An oral prescription for a schedule II controlled substance may be communicated to
a pharmacist by:
I. a licensed practitioner
II. an expressly authorized employee of practitioner
III. an expressly authorized agent of practitioner
a. I only
b. I and II only
c. II and III only
d. All - ✔✔(d) All, [M.G.L Chapter 94C, Section 18b].
An oral prescription issued by a practitioner may be communicated to a pharmacist by
an expressly authorized employee or agent of the practitioner.
✔✔A pharmacist may dispense a controlled substance in Schedule II upon receiving the
orally or electronically transmitted authorization of a prescribing practitioner, provided
that the EMERGENCY quantity prescribed and dispensed is limited to 3-day supply.
a. True
b. False - ✔✔(b) False, [247 CMR 5.03(2)(a)].
A pharmacist may dispense a controlled substance in Schedule II upon receiving the
orally or electronically transmitted authorization of a prescribing practitioner, provided
that the quantity prescribed and dispensed is limited to the amount adequate to treat the
patient during the emergency period (not a 3-day).
✔✔A 45-year-old patient comes to a pharmacy and presents a prescription for Zolpidem
written by his podiatrist. A pharmacist shall:
a. not fill the prescription.
b. fill the prescription.
c. ask the patient to get a new prescription from an authorized prescriber.
d. fill and dispense the prescription after filling out a DEA 222 order form. - ✔✔(a) The
pharmacist shall not fill the prescription, [M.G.L Chapter 94C: Section 19(a)].
For a controlled substance prescription drug order to be legal, it must be issued for a
legitimate medical purpose by an authorized individual practitioner acting in the usual
course of his or her professional practice.
, The responsibility for the proper prescribing of controlled substances is upon the
prescribing practitioner, but the pharmacist is responsible for the proper filling of the
prescription drug order.
A registered physician, dentist, veterinarian, or podiatrist authorized by this state to
prescribe controlled substances can issue a prescription for controlled substances only
in the usual course of his or her professional practice. Therefore, a pharmacist shall
question the prescription for sleeping pill (Alprazolam) prescribed by a registered
podiatrist.
✔✔A prescription written by a licensed practitioner for Ativan for "office stock" should
only be filled by a pharmacist-in-charge of a pharmacy.
a. True
b. False - ✔✔(b) False, [M.G.L Chapter 94C: Section 19(b)].
A prescription may not be issued in order for an individual practitioner to obtain a supply
of controlled substances for the purpose of general dispensing to his/her patients.
Therefore, a prescription written for "office stock" or "medical bag" use is not valid.
✔✔What changes may a pharmacist make to a prescription written for a controlled
substance in schedule II after verbally consulting with a practitioner or practitioner
agent?
I. The dosage form of the drug
II. The drug strength
III. The quantity prescribed
a. I only
b. I and II only
c. II and III only
d. All - ✔✔(d) All can be changed,
[http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/quality/boards/pharmacy/pharmacy-joint-policy-
2012-01-
prescrip-changes.pdf ].
For All schedules (Schedule II - Schedule VI) the following prescription information may
NEVER be changed or added (a new prescription would require).
a. Patient's name
b. Drug product (except for permitted generic substitution)
c. Prescriber's name
d. Prescriber's signature
e. Issue date/earliest date to be filled***
***Earliest date to be filled
QUESTIONS SET A+
✔An emergency oral prescription for Schedule II controlled drugs must be mailed to
dispensing pharmacy by an authorized prescriber within:
a. 48 hours after an oral authorization.
b. 7 days after an oral authorization.
c. 10 days after an oral authorization.
d. 72 hours after an oral authorization. - ✔✔(b) 7 days after an oral authorization, [247
CMR 5.03(3)].
In case of an emergency situation, a pharmacist may dispense a controlled substance
in Schedule II upon receiving the orally or electronically transmitted authorization of a
prescribing practitioner, provided that:
(a). The quantity prescribed and dispensed is limited to the amount adequate to treat
the patient during the emergency period.
(b). The prescription contains all information required by M.G.L. c. 94C, § 20(a) except
for the actual signature of the prescribing practitioner, and in the case of an oral
prescription, or prescription transmitted electronically by computer modem or other
similar electronic device, the prescription is immediately reduced to writing by the
dispensing pharmacist; and
(c). The dispensing pharmacist makes a reasonable good faith effort to determine that
the orally or electronically transmitted authorization was issued by an authorized
practitioner, which effort may include a callback to the prescribing practitioner or other
good faith efforts to ensure the prescribing practitioner's identity.
Within seven days after authorizing an emergency oral prescription, the prescribing
practitioner shall cause a written prescription for the emergency quantity prescribed to
be delivered to the pharmacy which must have written on its face "Authorization for
Emergency Dispensing" and should comply with federal and state law.
,Upon receipt of the written prescription, the dispensing pharmacist shall attach the
prescription to the orally or electronically transmitted emergency prescription which had
earlier been reduced to writing.
✔✔After dispensing an emergency Schedule II drug, the pharmacist has to contact
which of the following upon not receiving a written prescription from the prescriber within
7 days?
I. The DEA Office
II. The U.S. Department of Justice
III. The Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health
a. I only
b. I and II only
c. II and III only
d. All - ✔✔d) All, [247 CMR 5.03(4) And M.G.L Chapter 94C, Section 20c].
After dispensing an emergency Schedule II drug, the pharmacist has to contact the DEA
office, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Commissioner of the Massachusetts
Department of Public Health upon not receiving a written prescription from the
prescriber within 7 days of an emergency oral authorization.
M.G.L Chapter 94C, Section 20c: Persons charged with the enforcement of this chapter
shall report violations of this subsection to the board of registration in medicine, the
board of registration in dentistry, the board of registration in podiatry or the board of
registration in veterinary medicine, whichever is applicable, and to the commissioner or
board of registration in pharmacy, whichever is applicable.
✔✔An oral prescription for Tylenol No.3 must be mailed to dispensing pharmacy by an
authorized prescriber within:
a. 48 hours after an oral authorization.
b. 7 days after an oral authorization.
c. 10 days after an oral authorization.
d. 72 hours after an oral authorization. - ✔✔(b) Within 7 days after an oral authorization,
[M.G.L Chapter 94C, Section 18c And M.G.L Chapter 94C, Section 20c].
Whenever a practitioner dispenses a controlled substance by oral prescription, such
practitioner shall, within a period of not more than seven days or such shorter period
that is required by federal law cause a written prescription for the prescribed controlled
substance to be delivered to the dispensing pharmacy.
The prescription may be delivered to the pharmacy in person or by mail, but if delivered
by mail the envelope shall be postmarked within the seven-day period or such shorter
period that is required by federal law.
,Upon receipt, the dispensing pharmacy shall attach said prescription to the oral
prescription which the pharmacy has reduced to writing.
✔✔An oral prescription for a schedule II controlled substance may be communicated to
a pharmacist by:
I. a licensed practitioner
II. an expressly authorized employee of practitioner
III. an expressly authorized agent of practitioner
a. I only
b. I and II only
c. II and III only
d. All - ✔✔(d) All, [M.G.L Chapter 94C, Section 18b].
An oral prescription issued by a practitioner may be communicated to a pharmacist by
an expressly authorized employee or agent of the practitioner.
✔✔A pharmacist may dispense a controlled substance in Schedule II upon receiving the
orally or electronically transmitted authorization of a prescribing practitioner, provided
that the EMERGENCY quantity prescribed and dispensed is limited to 3-day supply.
a. True
b. False - ✔✔(b) False, [247 CMR 5.03(2)(a)].
A pharmacist may dispense a controlled substance in Schedule II upon receiving the
orally or electronically transmitted authorization of a prescribing practitioner, provided
that the quantity prescribed and dispensed is limited to the amount adequate to treat the
patient during the emergency period (not a 3-day).
✔✔A 45-year-old patient comes to a pharmacy and presents a prescription for Zolpidem
written by his podiatrist. A pharmacist shall:
a. not fill the prescription.
b. fill the prescription.
c. ask the patient to get a new prescription from an authorized prescriber.
d. fill and dispense the prescription after filling out a DEA 222 order form. - ✔✔(a) The
pharmacist shall not fill the prescription, [M.G.L Chapter 94C: Section 19(a)].
For a controlled substance prescription drug order to be legal, it must be issued for a
legitimate medical purpose by an authorized individual practitioner acting in the usual
course of his or her professional practice.
, The responsibility for the proper prescribing of controlled substances is upon the
prescribing practitioner, but the pharmacist is responsible for the proper filling of the
prescription drug order.
A registered physician, dentist, veterinarian, or podiatrist authorized by this state to
prescribe controlled substances can issue a prescription for controlled substances only
in the usual course of his or her professional practice. Therefore, a pharmacist shall
question the prescription for sleeping pill (Alprazolam) prescribed by a registered
podiatrist.
✔✔A prescription written by a licensed practitioner for Ativan for "office stock" should
only be filled by a pharmacist-in-charge of a pharmacy.
a. True
b. False - ✔✔(b) False, [M.G.L Chapter 94C: Section 19(b)].
A prescription may not be issued in order for an individual practitioner to obtain a supply
of controlled substances for the purpose of general dispensing to his/her patients.
Therefore, a prescription written for "office stock" or "medical bag" use is not valid.
✔✔What changes may a pharmacist make to a prescription written for a controlled
substance in schedule II after verbally consulting with a practitioner or practitioner
agent?
I. The dosage form of the drug
II. The drug strength
III. The quantity prescribed
a. I only
b. I and II only
c. II and III only
d. All - ✔✔(d) All can be changed,
[http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/quality/boards/pharmacy/pharmacy-joint-policy-
2012-01-
prescrip-changes.pdf ].
For All schedules (Schedule II - Schedule VI) the following prescription information may
NEVER be changed or added (a new prescription would require).
a. Patient's name
b. Drug product (except for permitted generic substitution)
c. Prescriber's name
d. Prescriber's signature
e. Issue date/earliest date to be filled***
***Earliest date to be filled
