A Virginia pharmacy receives an electronic prescription for a Schedule II
controlled substance from an out-of-state prescriber who is not registered with
the DEA in Virginia. Under Virginia law, which condition must be met for the
pharmacist to dispense this prescription?
A. The prescriber must have a valid DEA registration in their home state
and be authorized to practice in Virginia.
B. The prescriber must obtain a Virginia DEA registration before the
prescription can be filled.
C. The pharmacist may dispense only if the prescriber is located in a state
that has reciprocity with Virginia.
D. The pharmacist may dispense if the prescription is for a 30-day supply
or less and the prescriber is DEA-registered in any state.
Correct Answer: A - The prescriber must have a valid DEA
registration in their home state and be authorized to practice in
Virginia.
RATIONALE
Virginia law permits dispensing of controlled substances prescribed
by an out-of-state prescriber if the prescriber has a valid DEA
registration in their home state and is authorized to practice in
Virginia. Option B is incorrect because a separate Virginia DEA
registration is not required. Option C is incorrect because there is no
specific reciprocity requirement; federal law and Virginia regulations
govern. Option D is incorrect because the 30-day supply limitation is
not a condition for out-of-state prescriber validity.
Question 2
A Virginia pharmacy technician is tasked with performing a final check on a
compounded sterile preparation. Which statement best describes the legal
authority of a pharmacy technician in Virginia regarding this task?
A. Pharmacy technicians may perform final checks on sterile preparations
Page 2
, if they have completed additional certification.
B. Pharmacy technicians are prohibited from performing final checks on
sterile preparations; only a pharmacist may do so.
C. Pharmacy technicians may perform final checks only under direct
supervision of a pharmacist and if the preparation is for external use.
D. Pharmacy technicians may perform final checks if the pharmacy has a
policy approved by the Board of Pharmacy.
Correct Answer: B - Pharmacy technicians are prohibited from
performing final checks on sterile preparations; only a
pharmacist may do so.
RATIONALE
In Virginia, final checks on compounded sterile preparations must be
performed by a pharmacist; pharmacy technicians are not authorized
to do so. Option A is incorrect because certification does not expand
scope. Option C is incorrect because even under supervision,
technicians cannot perform final checks. Option D is incorrect because
Board-approved policies cannot override statutory limits on technician
duties.
Question 3
A Virginia pharmacist discovers that a prescriber has been issuing multiple
prescriptions for opioids to the same patient at different pharmacies. Which
action is required under Virginia law to address this potential drug diversion?
A. Report the prescriber to the Virginia Board of Pharmacy within 24
hours.
B. Report the prescriber to the DEA and the Virginia State Police.
C. Notify the prescriber and document the concern; reporting is
discretionary.
D. Report the prescriber to the Virginia Prescription Monitoring Program
(PMP) and the Board of Pharmacy if there is reasonable cause.
Correct Answer: D - Report the prescriber to the Virginia
Page 3
, Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) and the Board of
Pharmacy if there is reasonable cause.
RATIONALE
Virginia law mandates reporting to the PMP and the Board of
Pharmacy when there is reasonable cause to believe a prescriber is
engaged in drug diversion. Option A is incorrect because reporting to
the Board is required, but not within a strict 24-hour window. Option
B is incorrect because reporting to law enforcement is not the primary
requirement. Option C is incorrect because reporting is mandatory, not
discretionary.
Question 4
Which of the following is a requirement for a Virginia pharmacy to obtain a
controlled substance registration from the Board of Pharmacy?
A. The pharmacy must have a DEA registration and a Virginia controlled
substance registration.
B. The pharmacy must employ a pharmacist who has been licensed for at
least 5 years.
C. The pharmacy must be located in a county with a population
exceeding 50,000.
D. The pharmacy must provide 24-hour emergency services.
Correct Answer: A - The pharmacy must have a DEA
registration and a Virginia controlled substance registration.
RATIONALE
Virginia requires pharmacies to have both a DEA registration and a
separate Virginia controlled substance registration. Option B is
incorrect because there is no minimum experience requirement for the
pharmacist-in-charge. Option C is incorrect because population size
does not affect registration. Option D is incorrect because 24-hour
service is not a universal requirement.
Page 4