TamperResistantRx.com

A new law requiring tamper-resistant pads for Medicaid prescriptions was recently passed which requires written Medicaid prescriptions be on security paper.

It was slipped into a military spending law Congress adopted in late May. The rules focus on written orders, not verbal, faxed or electronically transmitted prescriptions.

CMS exempted from the law prescriptions paid for by Medicaid managed care organizations and those for patients in nursing homes and other institutions, which together constitute a large chunk of Medicaid prescriptions.

The guidance also allows pharmacists to fill drug orders on an emergency basis as long as the prescriber follows up with a verbal, faxed or compliant written prescription within three days.

Guidelines are expected soon.